Boy or girl? Mediterranean spur thighed tortoise

[Zoeee2426]

Hi all,
I have had my 4 year old mediterranean spur-thigh tortoise since adopting her as a hatchling, and the breeder had told me that she was female.
However, after a little bit of research, I am not so sure. What do you think? (ignore the foody face haha)

 

[Gillian M]

@Yvonne G
@Tom

you are kindly requested to help. Thank you.

 

[zovick]

Hi all,
I have had my 4 year old mediterranean spur-thigh tortoise since adopting her as a hatchling, and the breeder had told me that she was female.
However, after a little bit of research, I am not so sure. What do you think? (ignore the foody face haha)

That tortoise is a male.

 

[Zoeee2426]

That tortoise is a male.

I thought as much

 

[Zoeee2426]

Anyone else got an opinion? I'm thinking about booking a vet visit to confirm also

 

[wellington]

I say male also.

 

[Yvonne G]

Save your money. The slit shaped cloaca is at the end of the tail. These are male characteristics. If female the cloaca would be star-shaped, in a shorter tail and closer to the body.

 

[Zoeee2426]

Save your money. The slit shaped cloaca is at the end of the tail. These are male characteristics. If female the cloaca would be star-shaped, in a shorter tail and closer to the body.

Thank you

 

[zovick]

Anyone else got an opinion? I'm thinking about booking a vet visit to confirm also

I agree with Yvonne. There is no reason to spend $ on a vet visit to confirm the obvious unless you have other concerns about the animal.

Additionally, the experienced people on TFO often know these things better than most vets who do not see that many tortoises.

Is your vet an exotics specialist? That might make a slight difference, but I still say it is a waste of good money simply to find out the sex which is quite obvious to the trained eye.

 

[Zoeee2426]

I agree with Yvonne. There is no reason to spend $ on a vet visit to confirm the obvious unless you have other concerns about the animal.

Additionally, the experienced people on TFO often know these things better than most vets who do not see that many tortoises.

Is your vet an exotics specialist? That might make a slight difference, but I still say it is a waste of good money simply to find out the sex which is quite obvious to the trained eye.

Thank you for the advice, yes my vet is an exotic specialist but I agree that it’s not worth spending the money when many of you on here are being so helpful

 

[Tom]

I agree that you have a male.