bit of help?

[shellonia]

It has a very flat plastron? I'm a bit doubtful about being male though the scute shape suggests it.

Is there a bit of shellrot round the tail area or is it some substrate stuck to it?

[egyptiandan64]

Thats one of the bits that says he's male. Thats not shell rot but a spongy pad that older males get from doing a lot of breeding. It actually feels like calloused skin and is a bit springy.
Male Testudo graeca graeca can get big (up to about 10 inches SCL), but they aren't the biggest male spur-thighs. Male T.g.ibera from mainland Europe can get to be 12 inches SCL.

Danny

[pagan queen]

Originally Posted by egyptiandan64

Thats one of the bits that says he's male. Thats not shell rot but a spongy pad that older males get from doing a lot of breeding. It actually feels like calloused skin and is a bit springy.
Male Testudo graeca graeca can get big (up to about 10 inches SCL), but they aren't the biggest male spur-thighs. Male T.g.ibera from mainland Europe can get to be 12 inches SCL.

Danny

Oh, OK, fingers crossed that my Herbie is going to be a small male then.

[shellonia]

Originally Posted by egyptiandan64

Thats one of the bits that says he's male. Thats not shell rot but a spongy pad that older males get from doing a lot of breeding. It actually feels like calloused skin and is a bit springy.
Male Testudo graeca graeca can get big (up to about 10 inches SCL), but they aren't the biggest male spur-thighs. Male T.g.ibera from mainland Europe can get to be 12 inches SCL.

Danny

Well that's interesting Dan, and something new to me. Is this just seen on Graecas then or all males of any age?

[egyptiandan64]

I've seen it on T.g.ibera males also. So I'm supposing it's possible for all males to get it.

Danny