Figuring out sex for sulcata

[Aleatory]

I'm new to the group, hi everyone! I have 3 sulcata tortoises, I dont know what I was thinking! They were the size of a quarter when I got them, they are now about 8 or 9 and weight about 13 pounds each. From what I've read it takes years to determine the sex. In the last 2 weeks, 2 of them have had a long, what looks like a penis, and the drag it on the grass. I was ready to take it to the Vet but it released liquid and went back I side. Isn't 8/9 a little early for them? Needless to say I think I have 2 boys and 1 girl.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Welcome!
Take some photos of the underside of the shells and of the tail/area.
many members here can tell at a glance even early on.

 

[Tom]

13 pounds at 8 or 9 years old is very small.

In most cases they start flashing at 2.5-4 years old, but they are usually 10 pounds by 2.5 and 20-30 pounds by 4. Some grow faster than this even, but I'd say the majority are near this range.

We'd be happy to talk to you about care routines and feeding to see why they are still so small, but it sounds like you are going to need 3 separate enclosures really soon, in any case.

Hope we can help.

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome. It does sound like you have at least two male but a pic is need to tell for sure. Btw, if they are males, you will need to seperated them, as they will fight. If it's two males and one female they will all need their own enclosure as one male and one female together will not be healthy and could be deadly for the female.

 

[Aleatory]

I'm trying to upload photos, can't seem to do it. Please, hang on i'll figure it out.

 

[Aleatory]

View attachment 153055

 

[Aleatory]

I will take the pictures of the bottoms of the shell when they come out later. The second picture is a house my husband built for them, fully insulated and a heater, if it gets too cold. They are always together, they each have a separate hole dug but all night they March into the "turtle house" together.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

My Redfoot also insist on all sleeping together. It's not friendship.
(That house looks very nice.)

 

[Aleatory]

More of the house......

 

[Aleatory]

 

[Tom]

Where are you?

60 is much too cold for them at night. I keep my young ones no lower than 80 at night.

That is a great looking box, by the way.