An ideal enclosure for the red-footed tortoise is a sturdy, escape-proof enclosure outside. Article by wikiHow. thinner tail. Their skin is mostly black with shells being typically black, gray or brown. As you can see, the plastron of the male is concave in comparison to the female. One way to tell the difference between the female and male tortoise is by the TAIL. Although it is a big misconception that sulcatas do not need a lot of water, water is actually very important for sulcata tortoises. 5 Year Member. long fat tails with the cloaca out from the plastron is a male, females have very short stubby tails. Tortoise Club. 3.4k. Tortoise Club. TFO Admin. Desert Tortoise at Colossal Cave, AZ. Feb 21, 2020 #2 Toddrickfl1 Well-Known Member. Observe the height in adult leopard tortoises. The most important factor in determining sex is the tortoise's size. I have drawn you a diagram, and will show actual photographs below. Ron (age 3/4) George (age 4/5) I need to determine the sex because one day I hope to breed them, so It means I would maybe have to get another male or female! Some however show male characteristic at smaller sizes. She walks around the garden and starts digging with her back feet. Female turtles have shorter front claw and do not have a concave bottom shell. How to tell if a tortoise is a male or female? Answer Save. Now, on some breeds of tortoises this may be the only thing you can use to determine the sex of the tortoise. If you get a new tortoise they may not get on anyway. The males tail are thicker at the base of their shell.... Turtles live more in water. Reactions: Gijoux and Lisalou. These forms allow male turtles to a lot more conveniently install a female throughout mating, and they give women even more room to hold eggs internally. Helen. The male animal has a much longer spur than the female. Males mature a couple of years earlier. The male’s tail will be longer and that is the key to look for. I can't tell if they are male or female! Males and females use head movements as signals to identify each other. I have kept turtles but never bothered to mate them. In most cases female red eared sliders will get considerably bigger than males. A female’s anus is usually before the end of the carapacial rim. 3 Answers. Females have a … males have a dent in their belly shells so they can mate' females have a flat belly shell' males usually have a bit longer tail unless hes been in an injury' thats most turtle or tortoise sexting that ive ever known' 0 0. Joined Jan 17, 2012 Messages 4,103 Location (City and/or State) Sacramento, CA (Central Valley) That is indeed a female sulcata. As the tortoises grow to about 10 to 12 inches in length, their bottom shells and tails begin to change and tell the tale of their genders. 5 Year Member. If you keep pet turtles, it's nice to know if you've got boys or girls. It will take several more years before you'll be able to tell. Observe the tip of the tail on the Hermann tortoise. … Might be best to wait and have it sexed again in a few months. In most species of tortoise, females will have significantly smaller tails than male tortoises do. They frequently reach ages of 50 years or more. How do you tell whether a turtle or tortoise is male or female Using Claw Length to Determine Gender. Your tortoise isn’t likely to catch a respiratory illness from another tortoise unless they are housed together. I'll tell my friend tommorow.. Jul 8, 2018 #5 Markw84 Well-Known Member. Size of the Turtle. That is because both sexes look the same when they are hatchlings. I remember some years back when a large female red ear had escaped her pond … My tortoise is 4 years old could somebody please tell me if it is male or female please I was told he is male Thanks . You can click on the diagram to enlarge it. 10 Year Member! Please note that these distinctions often do not appear until the animal is 6 or 7 inches (15 - 18 cm) in length. Moderator. However, unlike many mammals, turtles have no external genitalia. Jul 8, 2018 #6 wellington Well-Known Member. I would say it may edge more towards male, by looking at the shape of the tail. I was hoping somebody could tell me on here if I post some pics! A … a female ’ s chin glands that are enlarged during mating season sex! Female red eared sliders will get considerably bigger than males a tortoise is a male reaches ''. 12 years old before they can maneuver them into a position for mating easiest way to tell if red! It ” plastron is a big misconception that sulcatas do not need a lot water., a sulcata tortoise will get considerably bigger than males be able to tell a... Frequently reach ages of 50 years or more peruse walking ( seeming uninterested ) females they. Male or female mammals, turtles have no external genitalia have it sexed again a. 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