Male or Female??

Hey guys, I'm new to tortoise keeping, and bought a 3 year old Horsefield tortoise.

I was told at the place I bought it that it was a Male. Since then I've been researching and it seems to resemble a Female more from the photos I've seen?

It doesn't really make a difference, but I'd just love to know.

Any advice is welcome, about anything to do with keeping "it" too, thanks a lot

We will need clear pictures of its tail area/plastron, from underneath...

Rue said:

We will need clear pictures of its tail area/plastron, from underneath...

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Okay I'll get some now.

Marcus Harrison said:

Okay I'll get some now.

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Looking female, but they all do to start.

Have you read the TFO guides to keeping Horsfields? They're written by species experts working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the Internet and from many pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Russian (Horsfield) Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

JoesMum said:

Looking female, but they all do to start.

Have you read the TFO guides to keeping Horsfields? They're written by species experts working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the Internet and from many pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Russian (Horsfield) Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

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Thanks a lot mate! So there is no way of knowing for certain?

The place I got him told me it was a Male, considering I know little, only had her/him just over a month with no past experience, I feel like they know better?

About how old do you think it'll be when it will be easier to tell?

Thanks a lot mate

Where did you get that tort from?

I have just looked at this on my computer rather than my phone and realised that that looks like a Hermann's tail, not a Horsfield. It's growing to the side and I now agree that it's probably male!

Different species requiring a different care sheet! Beginner Mistakes still applies
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/

I'd say he's older than 3 years, but @HermanniChris is our expert on this species (and other Testudo to be fair) and would know for sure.

JoesMum said:

Where did you get that tort from?

I have just looked at this on my computer rather than my phone and realised that that looks like a Hermann's tail, not a Horsfield. It's growing to the side and I now agree that it's probably male!

Different species requiring a different care sheet! Beginner Mistakes still applies
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/

I'd say he's older than 3 years, but @HermanniChris is our expert on this species (and other Testudo to be fair) and would know for sure.

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I bought it from a local pet shop, they had Hermann's and Horsefields there. They told me he was a Horsefield and that he was 3. I just presumed that that information was right?

I can provide more photos if you like? You might be able to get a better idea from the top of him. If anywhere specific please tell me and I'll do my best. Thanks for the information though, if he does turn out to be a Hermann that is pretty poor from a pet shop to tell me the wrong information!

Thanks again mate

I'm sure it's a Hermann! That horned tail tip is the giveaway.

It's not unusual for pet stores to be wrong. They rarely have any knowledge about tortoises among the staff. They'll say what they think you want to hear if it makes a sale, sadly. The age of the tort is a pure guess as you have no idea unless you know the hatch date.

Distrust any/all care information they gave you and read the care guides I linked to.

JoesMum said:

I'm sure it's a Hermann! That horned tail tip is the giveaway.

It's not unusual for pet stores to be wrong. They rarely have any knowledge about tortoises among the staff. They'll say what they think you want to hear if it makes a sale, sadly. The age of the tort is a pure guess as you have no idea unless you know the hatch date.

Distrust any/all care information they gave you and read the care guides I linked to.

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Okay thanks, if he is a Hermann, do I look after him the same as a Horsefield? I'll get some more pictures so that you can clarify.

Side

Marcus Harrison said:

Side

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Back

Marcus Harrison said:

Back

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Top

Marcus Harrison said:

Okay thanks, if he is a Hermann, do I look after him the same as a Horsefield? I'll get some more pictures so that you can clarify.

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It's broadly similar. The care guide I linked to explains.

Pay particular attention to substrate, heating/lighting and humidity requirements.

Pictures of your enclosure and lights posted on here will help us to help you.

Most pet stores recommend enclosures that are too small and tell you to keep them dry. What they actually need is warm humidity. You need a substrate that will hold moisture like coco coir or orchid bark.

You also need to be certain of your temperatures, I'll post a separate lighting explanation next.

Your tort needs:

1. A basking lamp
This must hang vertically, not at an angle. Basking is essential to raise your tortoise's core temperature so it can digest food.

2. UVB light
Read the instructions for the source to see how close to the substrate it must be. UVB is essential so your tort can process dietary calcium and have healthy bones and shell.

Both 1 and 2 are available from the sun for those able to live outside.

UVB does not pass through glass or perspex(plexiglass) - light must be direct to be effective not through a window. Mesh screening can also interfere with UVB.

3. A minimum overnight temperature (see the care sheet for your species) and complete darkness at night to sleep.


Notes

(a) A Mercury Vapor Bulb (MVB) provides combined UVB and Basking. Alternatively you can use 2 bulbs: a tube UVB and a reflector bulb for basking (a household reflector - not low energy or halogen - from a hardware store will do the job; it's the wattage that counts)

(b) Ignore any references to UVA you may read - it's misleading marketing speak.

(c) Compact coil UVB harms tortoise eyes and must not be used.

(d) Basking and UVB should be on a timer so the light(s) are on for 12 hours a day. Temperature under the basking is regulated by its height above the substrate.

(e) Overnight, depending on your home, you may need additional heat. You get this from a CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter) which must be on a thermostat.

(f) Torts have outstanding colour vision and love red and purple food. Coloured heat lamps colour tank decor and torts don't always apply intelligence to what they eat, resulting them in eating tank decor. Coloured bulbs should not be used.


Measurements

There are 4 important temperatures that you must know for an indoor enclosure.
- Directly under the basking lamp
- Warm side
- Cool side
- Overnight Minimum

You will need digital thermometers for accuracy.

A temperature gun thermometer (inexpensive from Amazon) measures temperature accurately in specific places like directly under the basking lamp.

A min/max thermometer so you know the min/max temperatures in your home by day and night.

You should also get a good digital probe hygrometer to measure humidity.

Thermometers and hygrometer that stick to the side of the enclosure tend to be less accurate.

Marcus Harrison said:

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That tortoise is definitely a Russian tortoise. And looks to be a female.

Okay thanks!

He has a basking bulb, heat mat, UV lamp, Water tray, little hiding tunnel thing and a food dish. It looks like this.

G-stars said:

That tortoise is definitely a Russian tortoise. And looks to be a female.

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Thanks. I'll take your word for it. It looked like the horny tip of a Hermann from what I could see, but your screen is probably better than mine.

My first reaction was Russian female too. That'll teach me to confuse myself.

Okay, thanks. Does the tank look alright for her? Anything you'd change?

Marcus Harrison said:

Okay, thanks. Does the tank look alright for her? Anything you'd change?

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From the pictures above.