Boy or Girl?

[pdelpizzo]

I posted this in the general forum with minimal response so I figured I'd take a shot here as well. You may have read my other threads about my small Russian tortoise that was bullied by its larger companion. It's 2 years old and only weighs about 90 grams. I think it's on a track to better health but I'm wondering if you can help me determine gender. I had been thinking it was a male because of the barb at the end of its tail but I've since read that females can have that too. Everything else looks female but it is still small (3 inches long). I wonder if the cloaca might give it away at this point but I'm not sure. If any of you experts can confirm one way or another I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks and sorry the photos aren't super sharp.

 

[kimber_lee_314]

Probably too small still ... but my guess is male.

 

[Arizona Sulcata]

I'm going to say female but it could still go either way.

 

[pdelpizzo]

Probably too small still ... but my guess is male.

Out of curiosity, what is it that makes you think male?

 

[tyrs4u]

Still a little small, but my Vote is Female... I have 3 Female adults and 1 male. They are pretty easy to tell them apart... But with it having a stubby tail and a enough room for an egg; all should be well... I would only sale Male if his shell was indeed Grooving inward. Otherwise I think she's pretty...

 

[turtles turtles turtles]

I'd say its a male cause its smaller.

 

[pdelpizzo]

I'd say its a male cause its smaller.

I'm pretty sure the small size is due to bullying, and subsequent poor nutrition. It's former male enclosure mate who was the same size is now more than 3 times the size and fully sexually mature, though still growing.

 

[TortoiseBoy1999]

I posted this in the general forum with minimal response so I figured I'd take a shot here as well. You may have read my other threads about my small Russian tortoise that was bullied by its larger companion. It's 2 years old and only weighs about 90 grams. I think it's on a track to better health but I'm wondering if you can help me determine gender. I had been thinking it was a male because of the barb at the end of its tail but I've since read that females can have that too. Everything else looks female but it is still small (3 inches long). I wonder if the cloaca might give it away at this point but I'm not sure. If any of you experts can confirm one way or another I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks and sorry the photos aren't super sharp.

I would say male

 

[dmmj]

Way to small to make a reliable guess, but as of right now I would say female.

 

[Daniii]

Hi

I decided my tortoise was male before I even checked him out

I was told that if his shell curves in underneath him, he is a boy as it helps them stay in place easier ontop of a female when they mate

Hope this helps

 

[pdelpizzo]

Hi

I decided my tortoise was male before I even checked him out

I was told that if his shell curves in underneath him, he is a boy as it helps them stay in place easier ontop of a female when they mate

Hope this helps

I've read that male Russian tortoises don't have a concave plastron as in many other species but I'm not 100% sure. Mine doesn't appear to have one.