Julia now Julian?

[kingskettle]

Finto, our GSD, drew my attention to strange goings on in the tortoise enclosure and when I looked to see what had intrigued him I found "Julie" having consensual sex with a rock! I take it this means that SHE is now a HE ? or is sexual frustration also exhibited in female tortoises. The rock in question was being mounted and the tortoise had mouth open as it rocked back and forth------surely male behaviour? This means I now have 2 males and not a pair----------unless you know differently???????????

 

[coreyc]

Sounds like you have a male have any pic's ??

 

[kingskettle]

Here's Julie/Julian

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Here's Frankel also male.

 

[Neal]

Could you post pictures of their plastrons?

 

[Greg T]

I owuld say you have a male there. I've never seen my females exhibit the same actions as my male when he is chasing them down. Post a pic of his/her undersides to help us make a better judgement.

 

[kingskettle]

He's at it again today! What can I do to discourage this behaviour---------anything or nothing?

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I like this close-up because you can see all the serrations in his jaws.

 

[Greg T]

"He's at it again today! What can I do to discourage this behaviour---------anything or nothing?"

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HAHA! I think your little one is grown up and found something new to play with. You can't change nature's urges. It is funny he likes that rock though.

From the pictures of their plastrons, I think you have two males there but some others with more experience than me should chime in soon too. Can't see in the picture, but if the plastron is a bit concave then they are probably make too. The one other trait to check is a longer, thicker tail which extends beyond the plastron quite a bit. Short, stubby tails are usually female. Next time he's on the rock like that, go pick him up and look. There will be no doubt if you have a male. One of my guys started humping things, and I've found him showing off his stuff more than once already.

 

[Neal]

The one on the right is male for sure. The one on the left looks more like a female...it would help to see the tail extended, but it might need a few more inches of growth to be sure.

 

[kingskettle]

I have picked him up mid-bonk but there's nothing visible,only a wet tail!

The small one on the left is the one loving his rock so don't think that's female behaviour. The big one on the right has flashed once a couple of weeks ago so his sex seems obvious.

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