Am I A Male Or Female?
This Will Help You Determine The Answer!
The Following Images Are Of My Three Toed Box Turtles:
Tecumseh (Male, On The Left) And Flo (Female, Right)
Method One: The Tail Tells It All |
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The Tail Is The Best Way To Determine The Sex Of A Turtle.
As seen in the picture above, the male's (left) tail is thicker, and the 'Cloaca' is positioned farther away from the body than that of the females (right).
The cloaca is the posterior opening that serves as the opening for the waste, and reproductive organs. It sometimes is called the "vent" in reptiles. |
Method Two: Concaved Or Not Concaved? |
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The Plastron's Concavity Can Also Aid In Sexing.
The male's (left) plastron (bottom shell) is often concaved/indented, and the females are always flat. (This doesn't include the hinge part of the shell.)
This is because the concavity in the male's plastron makes it easier to mount the female for mating. Some also believe the female's plastron is flat because she needs that room for egg development.
Another Thing To Look For:
In the above pictures you can also see the difference in the nails. Male's typically have much longer and thicker nails than females. |
Method Three: Coloration Of The Skin And Eyes |
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This Isn't Very Reliable, But It Does Help Back Other Methods Up.
The coloration of the front legs and head of a turtle can aid in sexing. The male's (left) often have very bright colors like reds, blacks, and yellows, while the female isn't always as colorful.
The eyes of the male are always a bright red or orange and the female can have yellow to brown, and sometimes light green eyes.
This method is the least reliable because females can often have very vibrant variations in skin color, and can have red eyes. As well as males can have very dull color of skin.
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Final Notes On Sexing From The Web-Master (That's Me, Jenne!) |
"Sometimes the only way to verify the sex of a turtle is when a male 'shows his stuff'. This can be shocking to a first time owner. It is completely normal to see the 'whole package' while a male is soaking during the day, and there is no need for alarm. Sometimes a male may even slightly 'reveal himself' when you pick him up, or as he moves around.
If all else fails, catching two turtles 'in action' is an easy way to know who is male or female!"
(Click Here for more information on the Courtship of two turtles.) |
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