Gender

[Orlando]

I am trying to figure out the sex of my 1.5 year old African Sulcata, I know they say it takes about 3-5 years until you can definitively know but I noticed that the anal scutes are not as wide as a males. Do these change as they grow? Because they look female.

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome If you post a pic, we can give you some good guesses.

 

[Orlando]

Here is a picture of the anal scutes. When I research this online they look very much like a females, will the shape of these change? Can the sex be determined even though it's only 1.5 years old?

 

[diamondbp]

Leaning towards female but it is still early to know for sure.

 

[mctlong]

She's small, no doubt, but those scutes are definately looking female right now.

How long is she (in SCL)? Size matters more than age when determining sex.

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Oh, and --

Welcome to the forum!!!!

 

[Orlando]

She's small, no doubt, but those scutes are definately looking female right now.

How long is she (in SCL)? Size matters more than age when determining sex.

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Oh, and --

Welcome to the forum!!!!

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Thanks! I'm not sure how to measure? The length of her shell is 6 inches and is 3.5 inches in height, this does not include her head or limbs. She has at least 4 times her original size when we got her a year ago. I thought males grow larger and she seems to be growing fast.

 

[abclements]

Hi Orlando! Welcome to the forum! I'm leaning female as well due to the short stubby tail. The best way to measure is to put the from of her shell touching a wall or flat vertical object, make sure she's flat on the ground then take a tape-measure and measure from the wall to the end of her shell. From what I've heard about Sulcatas, 6 inches (give or take) is about right for a 1.5 year old.

 

[mctlong]

I tend to be super conservative and would usually say that 6 inches is too small to determine sex in a sulcata. However, your tort's anal scutes are so characteristically female, that I'd put my money on that one being a girl. I been wrong before though.

 

[Lancecham]

Looks female to me.

 

[Orlando]

I appreciate everybody's help, I am leaning more towards female now.... only time will tell