Nails too long?

[NeekoBe]

Hey guys,
I've had this tortoise for about 2 years now (i'm guessing she/he is around 3 years old).
For as long as i can remember he/she had long nails like this ( and the rear ones are curly), however every picture of russian tortoises online shows straight nails. Are the nails(esp the rear ones) too long and if so how do i go about cutting them without hitting blood vessels? the nails are almost always half black and shineing a light through them doesnt seem to reveal the blood vessels.

Bonus question: i know he/she is very young, but can anyone give me a general idea if this tortoise is female/male? I know he/she is VERY aggressive towards other tortoise and does the 'head bob' before charging in so i'm leaning towards male, but the tail suggests otherwise?

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

What substrate do you use? If you place some ceramic floor tiles, adhesive side up, as they walk around on them the nails will wear down some,

Yeah, they seem like they are a bit too long.

 

[NeekoBe]

Hey, i use some regular top soil and recently placed some concrete blocks into the enclosure (like bricks you build houses with but concrete). will this help?

Also, any idea about female/male?

Thx for the reply ^^

 

[Pistachio's Pamperer]

Female would be my -guess-. Edit:: And adult so older than 3 yrs.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Hey, i use some regular top soil and recently placed some concrete blocks into the enclosure (like bricks you build houses with but concrete). will this help?

Also, any idea about female/male?

Thx for the reply ^^

Are the blocks placed so your tort is walking about on them a few times per day? If so, yes, they are rough and will help grind nails down. (Upload a pix of the blocks in the enclosure).