How to sex torts?

[veggie86]

Hiya,

I know it's probably on here somewhere but I can't find it...

Can someone explain to me how to sex torts? Mainly interested in Iberas. I've gone through loads of the threads where people have asked what sex their tort is and unless it's really obvious (like clearly concave plastron, or very long tail in males) I can't see how you're able to tell!

Thanks

[egyptiandan64]

It's not easy and takes years of practice with animals that aren't subadults yet. So the best thing is to post plastron (bottom shell) pictures of yours and we can help figure out what they might be and why we think they are that sex

Danny

[sandy]

Originally Posted by veggie86

Hiya,

I know it's probably on here somewhere but I can't find it...

Can someone explain to me how to sex torts? Mainly interested in Iberas. I've gone through loads of the threads where people have asked what sex their tort is and unless it's really obvious (like clearly concave plastron, or very long tail in males) I can't see how you're able to tell!

Thanks

It depends on their size as to when you can accurately sex them.
When they are small, its generally an educated guess.
Once they get to around 300-400grms you can usually tell by their tails. Males long and curl round, females short and stubby in comparison.
Males have concave plasterons, and females flat.
But as Danny says it takes a few years of looking and comparing to be good at sexing tortoises. As there is always the exception to the rule:0)

[veggie86]

Originally Posted by egyptiandan64

It's not easy and takes years of practice with animals that aren't subadults yet. So the best thing is to post plastron (bottom shell) pictures of yours and we can help figure out what they might be and why we think they are that sex

Danny

Ok, this is the pic I posted of Pickles a few months ago, please can you explain why he is male? His plastron isn't notably concave yet (he is only 3 though) and I don't think he has a very long tail compared to some. So I was wondering what elso you went by? It's not that I disagree, just interested in how you decide

[emma_mcraf]

What is Pickles' SCL?
I have no experience at all in sexing Iberas and just have an educated guess at sexing Hermanns, but that tail makes me think female.
I'm sure those with experience in Iberas will say otherwise.

[veggie86]

It's 85mm now, it was around 75mm when this was taken though. I think he's quite small for his age?

[emma_mcraf]

All torts grow at different rates. Pickles is smaller than my 18 month Hermanns though.
I'm sure you can get a more definitive answer once Pickles is a bit bigger.

[veggie86]

Yeah that's what I thought, I keep seeing torts half his age bigger than him! But he has been growing steadily (1-2mm a month) and gaining weight so I'm not worried about him

[sandy]

Originally Posted by veggie86

Yeah that's what I thought, I keep seeing torts half his age bigger than him! But he has been growing steadily (1-2mm a month) and gaining weight so I'm not worried about him

I would guess female, but a little on the small side to be accurate.

[veggie86]

Ooh that's interesting...We'll have to wait and see when he's a bit bigger then

Sandy do you thing female because of the tail? Or is there another clue?