are they old enough to know the gender yet?

BekahBear

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2012
Messages
26
Location (City and/or State)
Arizona
I have posted about these guys a few times now over the years. the last time I asked was august of last year. they have grown a couple inches since then.

I got them as yearlings. I was told they were born in July of 2011.

my question is...are they big and old enough to tell if they are boys or girls yet? if not, when do you think I will know for sure?

before you ask, don't worry, they are kept in separate outdoor enclosures.

I labeled the pictures to make it easier to tell them apart. #1 is named Kokopelli and #2 is named Kachina.
thanks in advance for the help :)



koko1.jpg koko2.jpg koko3.jpg koko4.jpg kach1.jpg kach2.jpg kach3.jpg kach4.jpg
 

BekahBear

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2012
Messages
26
Location (City and/or State)
Arizona
that's my guess on them right now. they both look female to me but I know that sulcatas can look female if they are too small or young to show male characteristics yet. at what age/size do they really show their gender characteristics?
 

Big Charlie

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2015
Messages
2,801
Location (City and/or State)
California
that's my guess on them right now. they both look female to me but I know that sulcatas can look female if they are too small or young to show male characteristics yet. at what age/size do they really show their gender characteristics?
If they are boys, they'll be flashing within the next year probably. Some flash earlier. I think with Charlie, he was 5.
 

Jodie

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2014
Messages
4,359
Location (City and/or State)
Spokane Valley WA
I think female as well. If you are flashed or they lay eggs you will know for sure. That's pretty much the only way to get a guarantee.
 

Gillian M

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2014
Messages
15,417
Location (City and/or State)
Jordan
that's my guess on them right now. they both look female to me but I know that sulcatas can look female if they are too small or young to show male characteristics yet. at what age/size do they really show their gender characteristics?

I think they are two cute females.
 

Markw84

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
5,041
Location (City and/or State)
Sacramento, CA (Central Valley)
I've always used a rule of thumb of 16" and 16 lbs is when I feel comfortable " knowing" the sex of a sulcata unless they flash - which often happens way earlier. Otherwise I'm reluctant to be sure before then on a suspected female
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,264
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
They are normally bigger at 5 years old, so we can normally tell for sure.

At only 12" both of those tails look female, but the anal scutes have not taken on the adult shape yet in either due to their size.

I agree with Mark's estimation here. I can't think of an example that I wasn't reasonably sure of by 16" long, regardless of age.

In any case, both of them are very nice looking tortoises. :)
 

Moozillion

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Apr 26, 2012
Messages
10,744
Location (City and/or State)
Louisiana, USA
Beautiful animals you have here!!! :)
They look female to me, but I don't have sulcatas- I have Hermann's. So don't quote me! :p
 

New Posts

Top