Is your new friend male or female?It is unlikely that your tortoise will come right out and tell you, so you will need to investigate.Even if you don't know what species your tortoise is, there are a few ways to determine its sex.
Step 1: Pick up the animal.
Being careful not to drop the tortoise, hold it in both hands.To see underneath the tortoise, hold it up high.The tortoise should not be flipped on its back.The animal is very stressed out.Lift the tortoise off the ground if it's too big to lift above your head.Get down low so you can see underneath it.
Step 2: There is a lower shell.
The tortoise has a shell called the plastron.The easiest way to tell a tortoise's sex is to look at this part of the shell.The plastron is most likely male.The male can more easily mount the female with the help of the plastron.The plastron is most likely female if it is flat.A bulging plastron helps the female carry more eggs.
Step 3: To confirm its shape, touch the shell.
You might not be able to determine the shape of the plastron with only your eyes.The shape of the tortoise can be felt on the underside.
Step 4: The plastron has a tail.
This is referred to as anal scute.The scute is shaped like a "V" or "U"This is where the tail comes out.A male's anal scute usually forms a wider, more open angle with the points farther from the marginals to allow the tail to move freely.A female's anal scute will form a tighter angle with points close to the marginals.This gives her more protection.
Step 5: The tortoise should be put down.
Don't hold the tortoise in the air for too long.They can be stressed out by this.The tortoise should be returned to its usual environment as soon as possible.
Step 6: If possible, look for sex based on color.
Some tortoises can't be sexed based on their shell color.Males will have brighter colors than females.This can be true when they are having sex.Males are usually smaller than females.Red-footed tortoises are not an exception.The males and females are the same size.
Step 7: Take a look at the carapace.
The upper shell is called the carapace.The shape of the carapace can reveal the sex of a tortoise.Take a look at the shape of the shell for clues if you know your tortoise is one of these species.Male and female hinge-back tortoises have different body types.The males of the same species will be a little bit larger at the rear than the females.
Step 8: There is a tortoise's tail.
If you don't pick up the tortoise, you may be able to do this.The tortoise might not appreciate being picked up if it is afraid.To see the tail, you can go down to the level of the tortoise.Sex can be determined by the tail length for tortoises that you can't pick up.
Step 9: Determine the tail's length.
There isn't a set length for a tortoise's tail.Males of most species have longer tails than females.The male's tail is moving from side to side.A female has a shorter tail than a cotton swab.The tale of a male will be shorter than that.
Step 10: Take pictures of the tortoise's tail.
If you have never looked at a tortoise's tail before, you might not know what it is.There are pictures of male and female tortoise tails.If you know the species of the tortoise, look up pictures of it.
Step 11: You can call your doctor.
Make sure they are familiar with tortoises.If your doctor doesn't feel comfortable working with a tortoise, you can ask if they can recommend someone else.
Step 12: The tortoise will be sexed.
You need to make sure that the tortoise is mature.The vet won't be able to determine the sex of the tortoise if it's not mature.It can take 15-20 years for a species to become fully mature.
Step 13: Ask about a zoologist.
You can call your local zoo or aquarium if your vet can't see your tortoise.There is a chance that a professional will be willing to look at the tortoise and determine its sex.You can take a picture of the tortoise if you can't bring it in.The tail and lower shell of the tortoise are the most obvious indicators of a tortoise's sex, so make sure to take a photo of them.