We were outside today and Coagi was dogging my other two large tortoises (Rafiki is a confirmed egg layer, Mimosa displays very female-like characteristics). Coagi repeatedly would follow the other tort, sniff their rear intently, then come around to their face and bob his(?) head.
The following (Coagi is in the rear):
The head bob:
Here are some anal scute/tail shots:
Rafiki (egg layer, anal scutes very male-like):
Mimosa (suspected female):
Coagi (note fat tail. everything else says female to me):
Mandarin (too small to tell, I think):
Shot of the group with shoe (I'm a 10.5-11) for scale:
I know these are captive conditions, which are far from natural, but I'm having a hard time buying the classic "female anal scutes are acute, males are obtuse". Still much to find out with my tortoises, but they are not conforming well to the standard sexing criteria if Coagi is a male. If you ask me, Rafiki looks very male-like according to the anal scute criterion. Yes-yes, sample size of 2-3...
Thoughts are welcome.
The following (Coagi is in the rear):
The head bob:
Here are some anal scute/tail shots:
Rafiki (egg layer, anal scutes very male-like):
Mimosa (suspected female):
Coagi (note fat tail. everything else says female to me):
Mandarin (too small to tell, I think):
Shot of the group with shoe (I'm a 10.5-11) for scale:
I know these are captive conditions, which are far from natural, but I'm having a hard time buying the classic "female anal scutes are acute, males are obtuse". Still much to find out with my tortoises, but they are not conforming well to the standard sexing criteria if Coagi is a male. If you ask me, Rafiki looks very male-like according to the anal scute criterion. Yes-yes, sample size of 2-3...
Thoughts are welcome.
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