Russian tort scutes

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lynnedit

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Recently there was a thread, 'Thoughts Please', about identifying gender.
Anal/femoral scutes were discussed thoroughly.
Seems like a good fact to file away, and learn about for newer members (including me).

Clearly a male for other reasons :p
For scute comparison-
IMG_0003_2.jpg


Big female
7" 1086g.

IMG_0002_2.jpg


Newer tort-
4.5 inches, 368g. WC.

IMG_0003.jpg


IMG_0002.jpg


So, regardless of tail/cloaca, based on anal scutes, the new tort is a likely a female?
 

GBtortoises

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Some things to keep in mind with using plastral scutes to identify gender is that: Captive born tortoises sometimes exhibit accelerated growth and the scute shapes are often deformed and exaggerated. With wild caught animals as long as there are no growth deformities or injuries it can be more reliable. But there are plenty of adult Testudo, wild caught and captive born that also do not exhibit those typical scute shapes so it's not a guarantee either way. Baby tortoises are notoriously judged wrong when using scute shapes as a gender indicator because they are growing, developing and their over body shape is constantly changing as they grow. Like indicators used to determine subspecies, plastral scute shape can be used on a checklist along with other identifying features to make a determination.
 

lynnedit

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GBtortoises said:
Some things to keep in mind with using plastral scutes to identify gender is that: Captive born tortoises sometimes exhibit accelerated growth and the scute shapes are often deformed and exaggerated. With wild caught animals as long as there are no growth deformities or injuries it can be more reliable. But there are plenty of adult Testudo, wild caught and captive born that also do not exhibit those typical scute shapes so it's not a guarantee either way. Baby tortoises are notoriously judged wrong when using scute shapes as a gender indicator because they are growing, developing and their over body shape is constantly changing as they grow. Like indicators used to determine subspecies, plastral scute shape can be used on a checklist along with other identifying features to make a determination.

Definitely one of several factors. Just wanted to learn a bit more about this particular one. Gary, is there a tort size/length that you feel we can be comfortable making a gender determination?
 
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