Could someone tell me if my 5 year old is a boy or a girl :) [Russian tortoise]

NeekoBe

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As title says, I've asked this before but people told me he/she was way too small to accurately tell. HE/She has grown a TON since (nearing 0.5KG).And I was hoping it would be different now :

I *think* it is a male because :

* Extremely aggressive to other tortoises : cannot be kept with other tortoises, even when she was like 1-2 years old she would attack/ bob his/her head at tortoises FAR larger.
* Head bobbing (I heard this is like a mating call/ display of dominance).
* Even though the shell shape says female, the tail seems a tad too long, also sometimes walks with tail tucked to the side.

However, last time my vet says he thinks its looking more like a female so...

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Toddrickfl1

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As title says, I've asked this before but people told me he/she was way too small to accurately tell. HE/She has grown a TON since (nearing 0.5KG).And I was hoping it would be different now :

I *think* it is a male because :

* Extremely aggressive to other tortoises : cannot be kept with other tortoises, even when she was like 1-2 years old she would attack/ bob his/her head at tortoises FAR larger.
* Head bobbing (I heard this is like a mating call/ display of dominance).
* Even though the shell shape says female, the tail seems a tad too long, also sometimes walks with tail tucked to the side.

However, last time my vet says he thinks its looking more like a female so...
Female Imo
 

Markw84

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Really?

That actually makes me really happy but I can't believe I was so wrong :D

Thanks a ton!

P.S: if this is how aggressive females can be, I don't want to imagine what mature males will do...
I believe Russians are the most aggressive of tortoises, pound for pound!!
 

AgataP

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Im unsure if she can't tell the difference between my fingers and carrots, but what I CAN tell you she will rush over and bite my fingers given the chance. Once bitten she does NOT let go :D (and yes, it hurts)

Ha when I use to had a Russian tortoise as a kid he would do the same. See the lettuce I was holding on to but go for the finger first and just chomp on it and I had to shake him off. They are crazy little monsters.
 

NeekoBe

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Ha when I use to had a Russian tortoise as a kid he would do the same. See the lettuce I was holding on to but go for the finger first and just chomp on it and I had to shake him off. They are crazy little monsters.

Glad to hear its not just mine :')

It started with just biting my fingers at the end of a lettuce when i was hand feeding (not sure if it's a thing you should do with tortoises, but both me and the tortoise seem to enjoy it so :D).

Then I put my hand out so she would come over for scratches and she just ran over and bit me, even did the paw push thing they do when trying to rip salad in half to my hand :').

I'm going to assume she had mistaken me for food, and I do not have an actual bloodthirsty tortoise.

Very cute but id lie if I said it didn't hurt at least a little bit.
 

LyndaAnna

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Mine will also tuck its head and shell ram my hand. I am so glad my Leopard will not be like that. Imagine a randy big a$$ sulcata--- I think @Yvonne G has one of those!
My male Hermanii does that, too and will bite if I keep my fingers in the way but only when he's in the 'mood' I've been having a giggle at everyone's responses.
 

tortlvr

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Mine will also tuck its head and shell ram my hand. I am so glad my Leopard will not be like that. Imagine a randy big a$$ sulcata--- I think @Yvonne G has one of those!
My 90 lb male sulcata will ram my ankles and especially when he can pin me against a wall. I have to be very watchful bc he can be a silent stalker. I've been knocked off my feet before. At least he's not a biter.
 

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