Male And Female Shell Shape

[Nobody]

Are there any differences between the shape of the shell(Carapace And Plastron)of male and female Sulcatas?If yes,what are the differences?Is it true that females usually have a rounder shape while males are more elongated in shape?
Thanks.

 

[Stephanie Logan]

I don't know the full answer to your question, but I have read on this forum that males have a bit of a concave plastron (the better to "spoon" the female ), and females have a flat plastron (to keep them anchored to the ground so the male doesn't fall off, I guess.... )

 

[shelber10]

yes females have a rounder flatter shell and males plastrons are more concave

http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/sexingsulcata.htm

 

[Tom]

Stephanie is correct, but this isn't always obvious until they get bigger. Bert was pretty flat until he was 8 or 9. He used to be Bertha. Big Bertha. He had a small head, small gular scutes and a flat plastron until he got older. He STILL has a small head and gular scutes, relative to other males.