My (kind of) new tortoise

[tylrhadn111]

So, it was the middle of August when my friend let me come over to his house to pick out one his grandmas old tanks. His grandma was an animal fanatic that had tons of birds and reptiles but moved to a senior living home and they got rid of most of her pets. While I was looking for tanks and other things I came across a Eastern Hermann's tortoise sitting in a tank by his moms bed and I asked if he would ask his mom if I could have it. The next morning he called me and told me his mom said yes so, I went there immediately and took him home with me. Now, after a couple months of research and reading posts on this wonderful forum, I have learned that he wasn't cared for properly and I'm doing my best to ensure that my friends grandma didnt do any unintentional damage to my tortoises health but at least I know I'm taking MUCH Better care of him than my Friends mom would have and I love him much more than she ever could. I don't know how old he is nor the extent of the damage done to him due to improper care but if anyone has any ideas please let me know.

 

[wellington]

Looks to have obviously been kept too dry. Back a few years ago, most tortoises were. Other then the pyramiding, he doesn't look to bad, from what one can tell from a pic. Glad he will be in better care now.

 

[tylrhadn111]

Thank you. I wish I could have received him sooner so, I could have prevented the pyramiding of his shell but I can at least prevent it from getting any worse. also, somebody told me that he is a boy and his tail is actually bent due to the improper care that he received but I was wondering if anyone could confirm that.

 

[diamondbp]

I would actually say female because males have much longer tails. If you can post a few other tail shots it will help out.

 

[wellington]

I agree, I would have to guess female by that one pic.

 

[tylrhadn111]

Besides the one picture I already posted, I have 2 more pictures in which you can see the tail. Please, let me know if I need to take a couple new pictures because my girlfriend & I thought she was a female until someone that seemed to know a lot of tortoises told me that he thought it was a male with a bent tail so, I sent him the picture I just previously posted and he never replied to verify the sex of my tortoise. So, at this point, I REALLY would like to know. Please, everyone, post your opinions on the sex. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Lillysmytort]

Looks like a female to me...

I'm thinking her name should be.... Delores

 

[Yvonne G]

Yes, that bent tail goes along with MBD, so be sure to feed your new GIRL a diet of calcium-rich foods. Don't sprinkle on too much powdered calcium. If you do, she won't eat. They don't like the taste of it.

Testudo males' cloaca are in the shape of a slit, while the females' are in the shape of a asterisk/star. Your tortoises' cloaca is asterisk-shaped.

 

[tylrhadn111]

Wow, thank everyone that replied SO MUCH because I had seen a diagram of the differences between the Cloaca's and thought it seemed like a females but somebody told me it was a male. Hense, why I'm so happy to finally get a definitive answer. this forum is so helpful.