Best guess on Burmese star gender?

scottbot84

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I realize this comes up often, but any guesses on the sex on this little one?

He/She is about 4 3/4 inches and 15 oz(425 grams).
I have an obvious (flashing) male that is almost 6" long and an adult egg-laying female. I'm hoping to end up with a 2:1 trio, but if not will house them separately.
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Markw84

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Sorry you haven't got a reply yet, but in my experience, 5" is still a bit too small to be sure on sex with a G platynota. If I were to guess, your tortoise is looking female. But I wouldn't count on that yet at this size. Overall rounder shape, anal scutes, and tail. But that can still change as those things can all change as male characteristics develop around 6"+
 

scottbot84

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Sorry you haven't got a reply yet, but in my experience, 5" is still a bit too small to be sure on sex with a G platynota. If I were to guess, your tortoise is looking female. But I wouldn't count on that yet at this size. Overall rounder shape, anal scutes, and tail. But that can still change as those things can all change as male characteristics develop around 6"+
That's about what I was thinking. Maybe female, but too small to be sure. I only have 3 torts for reference, so was hoping someone with a more practiced eye could make a more informed guess.
 

scottbot84

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It's been awhile, but I have some updated pictures to add. Decent growth last year, from 4 3/4" to about 6" and 425 grams to 660 grams.
I'm thinking a probably male at this point, but I'm still not 100%. My current male seemed more obviously male at this size.

Any thoughts?
 

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Tom

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Looking male at this point to me. We need to be able to clearly see the tail in future pics. That is the best indicator.
 

Tom

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L


Like from the back or side?
Looking straight at the plastron is best. In all but one photo, the tail is cut off. In the one pic that isn't cut off, the tail is hidden in shadows.

The tail size will be your first and most obvious indicator. Sell shape, plastron concavity, and anal scute shape come later, closer to maturity.
 

Markw84

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That tortoise is looking very male to me at this point. I think it is large enough to tell and by the overall shape, it definately looks male. The overall shape is much more oval now. The shape difference normally starts to show by about 500g. The tail is hard to see well, but looks tucked to the side and too long for female. You have a good shot of the tail in your first photos back in Jan, and the tail has changed considerably. 98% sure its male now.

Do you have some good calipers to get exact measurements? If so, I find if you divide the straight carapace length by the straight width, you will never see a male over 550g with that ratio under 1.55. Males tend to all average about 1.62 and females average 1.43 I have one very large female that is 1.55 but that is the only female I have seen that is over 1.50
 
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scottbot84

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Here's a few more in better light and better angles. I'm pretty sold on male at this point, but I will try the caliper method to be sure (since I have some). I would have preferred a 1:2 trio, but seems like others get along with primarily male groups. My female and larger male have been moved outside, this tortoise has been mounted frequently by my larger male and is staying indoors to better monitor growth and reduce stress.
 

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scottbot84

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That tortoise is looking very male to me at this point. I think it is large enough to tell and by the overall shape, it definately looks male. The overall shape is much more oval now. The shape difference normally starts to show by about 500g. The tail is hard to see well, but looks tucked to the side and too long for female. You have a good shot of the tail in your first photos back in Jan, and the tail has changed considerably. 98% sure its male now.

Do you have some good calipers to get exact measurements? If so, I find if you divide the straight carapace length by the straight width, you will never see a male over 550g with that ratio under 1.55. Males tend to all average about 1.62 and females average 1.43 I have one very large female that is 1.55 but that is the only female I have seen that is over 1.50

With calipers the ratio is a bit over 1.5, looking at my newer pictures combined with this makes it almost certain to me now. I wish this one would flash, that's the only thing that makes me at all uncertain.
 

G-stars

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I agree with Tom and Mark, that one is a male. A lot of Burmese star keepers are heavy on males. That’s not such a bad thing unless you don’t have any females.
 
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