My Russians are mating... they are both males!

[Winnie-and-Oliver]

When I purchased my torts they said one was a female and the other male. After doing some research I discovered they are both males according to their tails, but now they are mating. I checked online and it is for sure what they are doing. Is it possible for a female to have a tail that looks like a male? Do males behave that way? Help please!

 

[Candy]

If you can post pictures of the plastron we can tell you if they're female or male. Sometimes they climb on top of each other as domination are you positive there was a penis involved?

 

[Torty Mom]

Candy, do males have a concave plastron like the CDT's and a few other species?

 

[Tom]

Post pics of the anal scute area and we can sex them for you. If they are both males then they aren't mating and one of them is being dominated. Not good. Long term stress like that will eventually cause him to get sick. If its a male and a female, be careful because a male in an enclosure with a lone female will often harass her to the point of injury or sickness. Be prepared to separate them either way.

 

[jackrat]

Oh,well,I guess they can join the Army if they want to. I'm sorry,I just couldn't resist. Forgive me.

 

[Candy]

Candy, do males have a concave plastron like the CDT's and a few other species?

Mary Anne I don't actually know if male Russians have a concave plastron or not. I thought all males would but not positive about that one. I only know that Dale does and Fernando does. Well have to wait and see if someone else can answer this. Now I'm curious.

 

[Angi]

They are your children so you should love then no matter what their sexual preference is

 

[Candy]

Well here's a site that I looked up because I was curious about the concave, but it doesn't show if they do or not. Hope this helps you, but we'd still love to see pictures and guess anyway.

http://www.russiantortoise.net/male_female.htm

 

[Winnie-and-Oliver]

If you can post pictures of the plastron we can tell you if they're female or male. Sometimes they climb on top of each other as domination are you positive there was a penis involved?

I couldn't tell if there was a penis involved. I will get some pics and post them tomorrow at the latest. Thank you!

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Post pics of the anal scute area and we can sex them for you. If they are both males then they aren't mating and one of them is being dominated. Not good. Long term stress like that will eventually cause him to get sick. If its a male and a female, be careful because a male in an enclosure with a lone female will often harass her to the point of injury or sickness. Be prepared to separate them either way.

Thank you for this infor. I am going to post the pics by tomorrow at the latest. I appreciate the help. The last time I tried to upload photos it didn't work, so I hope it lets me this time!

 

[Yvonne G]

No, male Russian tortoises don't have a concave plastron. Its just as flat as a female's. They only difference is a VERY large tail on a male. Tom's post was a good one.

 

[Winnie-and-Oliver]

They are your children so you should love then no matter what their sexual preference is

I do love them no matter what I just hope they are both ok, I am super confused right now, lol.

 

[Tom]

Thank you for this infor. I am going to post the pics by tomorrow at the latest. I appreciate the help. The last time I tried to upload photos it didn't work, so I hope it lets me this time!

Try using tinypic.com

Its really easy. No sign up. No account. No hassle. Just upload any size photo and then copy/paste the IMG code into your forum post.

 

[Winnie-and-Oliver]

Thank you for this infor. I am going to post the pics by tomorrow at the latest. I appreciate the help. The last time I tried to upload photos it didn't work, so I hope it lets me this time!

Try using tinypic.com

Its really easy. No sign up. No account. No hassle. Just upload any size photo and then copy/paste the IMG code into your forum post.

Ok, hope this works, otherwise i will have to try your suggestion from my home computer tonight

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Thank you for this infor. I am going to post the pics by tomorrow at the latest. I appreciate the help. The last time I tried to upload photos it didn't work, so I hope it lets me this time!

Try using tinypic.com

Its really easy. No sign up. No account. No hassle. Just upload any size photo and then copy/paste the IMG code into your forum post.

Ok, hope this works, otherwise i will have to try your suggestion from my home computer tonight

Both of these pics are of the one we are thinking might be a female

 

[Candy]

I'm thinking that you've got yourself two males there.

 

[Winnie-and-Oliver]

I'm thinking that you've got yourself two males there.

Thats what I thought =) The weird thing is that when Oliver is on top of Winnie, he has his mouth wide open, tongue hanging out, and is making that squeeking noise! So this must mean he is being mean to Winnie and they need to be separated?

 

[Candy]

He might just be trying to use his stuff. He's young right? Maybe he's just practicing. You're probably going to end up separating them because he will stress out the other one by trying to dominate him.

 

[Winnie-and-Oliver]

Lol, maybe =) I will continue to watch them and see how Winnie is handling his advances

 

[Yvonne G]

The picture shows a male russian tortoise. When they breed, the male opens his mouth and vocalizes.