Female or Male Larger?

[DesertGrandma]

So I have searched the forum and couldn't find an answer. Some of the internet sites say leopard males are larger and some say leopard females are larger. If you were picking from hatchlings hoping to get a female what would you look for? Yeah, I know, too soon to tell. But would you look for a larger round one or a smaller round one, hoping to get a girlie tort??

 

[Tom]

As far as I know, the weight and shape of the hatchlings is not an indicator of sex.

 

[stephiiberrybean]

I've always read that Females get bigger?

I don't know how you'd tell from Hatchlings. Think you'd just have to pick and hope.
Sorry i can't be more help.

 

[Az tortoise compound]

So I have searched the forum and couldn't find an answer. Some of the internet sites say leopard males are larger and some say leopard females are larger. If you were picking from hatchlings hoping to get a female what would you look for? Yeah, I know, too soon to tell. But would you look for a larger round one or a smaller round one, hoping to get a girlie tort??

It depends on the subspecies...
Copy and paste this:
http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/SSC-OP-005.pdf

Read the bottom of page 43 and the top of page 44.

Tom is correct about the size/ shape of hatchlings question. Anal scutes or incubation temp would tell you more.

 

[DesertGrandma]

Thanks for the info. This answers my question about which is larger, if GPP the male is larger, if GPB the female is larger, generally speaking of adult leopard tortoises. But, no indicator in babies because they all grow at different rates, right? Or, in your experience have you seen a trend? BTW, love this article Mick. So I guess the best way to try to get a female is to get an older sexed one, or a temp sexed young one, am I right? Don't know what my current GPB leo is, male or female, and want to try to avoid future problems with having more than one male GPB if possible.

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The other alternative is to get several with the knowledge that some will have to go to new homes later on. It might be hard to let them go 8-(

 

[Az tortoise compound]

Thanks for the info. This answers my question about which is larger, if GPP the male is larger, if GPB the female is larger, generally speaking of adult leopard tortoises. But, no indicator in babies because they all grow at different rates, right? Or, in your experience have you seen a trend? BTW, love this article Mick. So I guess the best way to try to get a female is to get an older sexed one, or a temp sexed young one, am I right? Don't know what my current GPB leo is, male or female, and want to try to avoid future problems with having more than one male GPB if possible.

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The other alternative is to get several with the knowledge that some will have to go to new homes later on. It might be hard to let them go 8-(

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Joy,
You are correct on all accounts I have not noticed any trends regarding size and sex at the hatchling stage.

 

[Neal]

Yeah, really your best bet is to go with a bigger tortoise that's sex-able. The thing with leopards though, in a lot of cases, they are not totally sex-able until they are larger....and therefore more expensive typically.

 

[DesertGrandma]

Yeah, really your best bet is to go with a bigger tortoise that's sex-able. The thing with leopards though, in a lot of cases, they are not totally sex-able until they are larger....and therefore more expensive typically.

That would definitely be the best choice. Would you think about 7 inchs?? Or larger than that to be sure? Probably a lot harder to find one that has been well cared for, I would think.

 

[Tom]

Another good thing about Gpb leopards is that, as adults, they are less likely to have aggression problems in mixed groups, than some other species. So if you DID buy a bunch of young ones and grow them all up together, you probably would not have any problems with them coexisting as they got bigger. Especially outside in a large yard with lots of hiding spots and vegetation.

 

[DesertGrandma]

Another good thing about Gpb leopards is that, as adults, they are less likely to have aggression problems in mixed groups, than some other species. So if you DID buy a bunch of young ones and grow them all up together, you probably would not have any problems with them coexisting as they got bigger. Especially outside in a large yard with lots of hiding spots and vegetation.

Another good point! Guess I should take some time to decide just what will work best for me, my pocket book, and my yard. Thanks.

 

[Tom]

I have faced this dilemma many times in the past and this is why I usually buy groups of animals if I intend to breed and keep them long term.

If you go the group route, try to get them from different, unrelated sources. Unless of course you can get unrelated ones from the SAME source. Lots of good leopard breeders here on the forum...