New member need help sexing

Wrinklyninja84

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May 16, 2019
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Hi I have just joined I have had my tortoise now for nearly a year she was hatched in 2016 it says on her cites form.
When i got her she weighed 119g and now she is settled and growing ok I think she is steadily growing now she is 321g she has a nice varied diet minimal lettuce only romaine if any at all plantain mustard greens occasionally pack choi but she has minimal brasica she loves endive and radicchio in particular.
Anyway I would like opinions on her sex I thought she was a girl but her shell is concaving but tail to me looks female so it's a tad confusing.
20190516_164451.jpg 20190516_164414.jpg 20190516_164451.jpg 20190516_164414.jpg
 

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SweetGreekTorts

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@HermanniChris may be able to help if he's available.

I'm currently in the middle of returning home after being gone all week for a work training trip. Once I get home today I'll take a closer look at the photos.

Welcome to the Forum!
 

Yvonne G

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Looks like a male who has had his tail bitten off at a younger age.
 

SweetGreekTorts

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Looks like a male who has had his tail bitten off at a younger age.
The Greek males don't always have longer tails like other species. The Greeks in general have a rounded blunt tip of their tails. So there are other indicators to look for when determining gender.
 
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SweetGreekTorts

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Some indicators to look for:

Location of the cloacal opening. In females it is closer to the body. Males have theirs closer to the tip of the tail.

Plastron. Males develop a concave plastron. Females have a flatter plastron.

Plastron hinge. Females have a movable plastron joint that allows the last part of the plastron to open up a bit for egg laying. Males also have a hinge with some flexibility but not as much as the females.

Size. Females are much larger than males.

The OP looks to have a Testudo graeca ibera, which is a larger subspecies of the Greeks. So it's very possible that the tortoise the photos is still too young and small to confirm gender at this time.
 

Wrinklyninja84

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Yes he/she is still only 2.5yrs old the thing that's got me wondering is the concave under as in these pictures.
I really appreciate the help you offer I have her registered as a female with her insurance and her microchip but now I am doubtful.
Thank you for your replys 15581058800062732961871333881587.jpg 15581059349472213140308874569454.jpg
 

SweetGreekTorts

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Yes he/she is still only 2.5yrs old the thing that's got me wondering is the concave under as in these pictures.
I really appreciate the help you offer I have her registered as a female with her insurance and her microchip but now I am doubtful.
Thank you for your replys View attachment 272360 View attachment 272361
The concave would definitely be male, but 2.5 years is still young. I just boarded my flight home so as soon as I get back and settled I'll look closely at all the photos you provided and see if we can know for sure yet [emoji6]
 

dmmj

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Yes he/she is still only 2.5yrs old the thing that's got me wondering is the concave under as in these pictures.
I really appreciate the help you offer I have her registered as a female with her insurance and her microchip but now I am doubtful.
Thank you for your replys View attachment 272360 View attachment 272361
Insurance? For a tortoise? May I inquire as to the reason why? Thanks
 

Wrinklyninja84

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It's only a cheap cost per month and once he/she is over a good age and mature I will probably cancel but why small I believe in being safe than sorry my local vets has a very good reptile specialist and they advised it until over 4-5 so should she pick something up why shes outside or get poorly it can cost a small fortune. I only pay less than ten pound a month and I have all cost covered for round the clock care should I need it.
It may seem silly to some but Its a small price for peace of mind for my shelled little friend. This is my first tortoise and I research her as much as I can and offer the best I can food lights setup etc. I know I may sound like a fool lol
 

dmmj

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No I was just curious I did not knoe insurance covered tortoises I know that they sometimes forget to tell you all services are\are'nt covered depending on how much you pay and covers and things like that but interesting to know thank you
 

HermanniChris

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It’s looking female right now solely based on the length of the tail but since Greek tortoises have naturally blunt, rounded tails rather than pointed ones, this could change. It’s still much too young to be sure.
 

Wrinklyninja84

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It’s looking female right now solely based on the length of the tail but since Greek tortoises have naturally blunt, rounded tails rather than pointed ones, this could change. It’s still much too young to be sure.
Thank you for your reply it is tough isnt it the under shell is concaving lately its thrown me completely I tried to get the last two pics to show this best I could.
Thanks again
 

Wrinklyninja84

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Just one other thing to note he/she does on occasion headbutt things is this a Male thing or is it a non gender spacific behavior
 

dmmj

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Just one other thing to note he/she does on occasion headbutt things is this a Male thing or is it a non gender spacific behavior
Usually male behaviour but females also do it.
 

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