Help Identify Gender for 2 Leopard Tortoises

[BettyEA]

Hi Everyone,

We have acquired two Leopard Tortoises and are confused on identifying the gender. We would love help! We have one that is much smaller, potentially younger. And the next one darker and larger. I inserted three photos of each.

Thank you so much!

 

[wellington]

Too young looking yet to tell. If it weren't to early I'd say you have one of each however that can easily change.
Also tortoises should not be kept in pairs. Be sure to house them seperate.

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Hi Everyone,

one that is much smaller, potentially younger

It could be younger, sure, but quite often the smaller one isn't younger at all. Its stunted growth is a negative side effect that can happen when tortoises are raised in pairs. The dominant one is the larger of the 2. We see this time and time again. This is not always the case mind you, but quite often it is.

The tortoises' genders becomes evident when they are larger. Age has nothing to do with it. Based on your tortoises' current sizes, you can't tell what they are. That's ok though. Not knowing won't affect your care for them in the slightest. 2 boys, 2 girls, 1 of each, it doesn't matter. You'll still want to set them up separately.

In my experience keeping tortoises these last 10 years you either:
A) keep just 1 in an enclosure and it has a great life
B) keep 3 or more in an enclosure. But then you need LOTS more room and you still can still deal with bully dynamics.

I've settled on option A with no regrets.