One of my new females looks like a male! Common?

[tortadise]

I hate to be a downer, but does anyone think there might be a problem with a female, with a small opening, getting egg bound? I don't understand how the eggs would be smaller. I have occasionally had problems with younger- smaller female turtles and tortoises laying.

Well depends on species. Are yours Redfoots? I have a young Redfoot female from Suriname that lays massive eggs and she has no issues laying. Takes her a bit longer than the bigger more mature ones. Other species like angulata and chilensis here lay large eggs with very very small ventral openings without issue.

 

[jskahn]

Well depends on species. Are yours Redfoots? I have a young Redfoot female from Suriname that lays massive eggs and she has no issues laying. Takes her a bit longer than the bigger more mature ones. Other species like angulata and chilensis here lay large eggs with very very small ventral openings without issue.

I never bred Redfoots. But usually when I have seen it happen, it was young or small females. That is why I wondered if anyone else had that problem. I don't know if the Redfoots plastron is flexible as some others.

 

[christinaland128]

My reds are about 6.5" long. One Columbian, one Brazilian. Haven't seen any flashing yet! They're a little over a year old...they've got some nice marbeling starting. any thoughts on sex or too early?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Fifteen year old females might not be fertile due to age?

 

[jskahn]

Fifteen year old females might not be fertile due to age?

I doubt that. 15 isn't even middle age.

 

[Turtlepete]

Fifteen year old females might not be fertile due to age?

I'd say that rather she is getting close to her prime. One of my females in her 20's is my most reliably reproductive. Not sure at what age they cease reproduction.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

The three bigger girls..

 

[ZEROPILOT]

The other two.
These two I'm trying to trade for a big male.
So far, nothing...