Sex of Russian tortoise Speedy

[Mark C]

Hi guys we're a bit unsure as the breeder who sold us Speedy said Speedy was a girl whilst the vet says it is likely to be a male. Speedy has been aggressive towards the other horsfield we got who is definitely a boy so we've had to seperate them. Can anyone confirm?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello!
Tail looks long enough so it could be a male, but from this point I can't be 100% sure. Can you make a photo of an underbelly and tail area (hold tortoise back in your palm, so it's looking in the sky and take some photos). If you can make a photo of a tail with where cloacal opening shape will be seen - this should tell the whole story.

And keeping a pair of tortoises together (no matter what sex and age) is usually a bad idea. You've done the right thing to separate them.

 

[Mark C]

Awesome thanks Alex she's or he's asleep at the moment so we'll get some different photos tomorrow and repost! Thanks for replying so 'speedily' pardon the pun!

 

[wellington]

No matter what the sex is, they should never be housed in pairs. Keep them separated always.
The pic your going to post will help us confirm. To hard to tell by the pic above.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello! Hopefully some better photos will help😊
But yes as the others have said
tortoise of any species should NEVER be housed in pairs under any circumstances, they’re incredibly territorial, behaviours that look cute to us really aren’t, following one another and sleeping huddled up is all bullying the the tortoise world, you’ll eventually see more extreme signs of aggression like you saw. Anyone who tells you pairs are fine, have no idea what they’re talking about.

Small groups are ok when there’s lots of land and the correct male to female ratio

Whilst you’re here I don’t suppose you’d mind including some information on how you’re keeping them?🙂any photos of your enclosures would be great!

Are they indoor or outdoor set ups? I know being from the uk we can’t really house them outdoors year round

How big are your enclosures?

What are the temps like? Ie basking area?(directly under the bulb) overall day temps? Night temps?

What lighting/heating do you use? Packaging photos are good!

What kind of indoor uv do you use?

What’s your substrate and how’s your humidity reading?

How’s their diet been?🙂

Anyway additional photos/info would be really good😁

 

[Mark C]

No matter what the sex is, they should never be housed in pairs. Keep them separated always.
The pic your going to post will help us confirm. To hard to tell by the pic above.

Thanks will do... Photo to follow. Speedy is just sunbathing currently!

 

[Mark C]

Hello! Hopefully some better photos will help😊
But yes as the others have said
tortoise of any species should NEVER be housed in pairs under any circumstances, they’re incredibly territorial, behaviours that look cute to us really aren’t, following one another and sleeping huddled up is all bullying the the tortoise world, you’ll eventually see more extreme signs of aggression like you saw. Anyone who tells you pairs are fine, have no idea what they’re talking about.

Small groups are ok when there’s lots of land and the correct male to female ratio

Whilst you’re here I don’t suppose you’d mind including some information on how you’re keeping them?🙂any photos of your enclosures would be great!

Are they indoor or outdoor set ups? I know being from the uk we can’t really house them outdoors year round

How big are your enclosures?

What are the temps like? Ie basking area?(directly under the bulb) overall day temps? Night temps?

What lighting/heating do you use? Packaging photos are good!

What kind of indoor uv do you use?

What’s your substrate and how’s your humidity reading?

How’s their diet been?🙂

Anyway additional photos/info would be really good😁

Thanks for your comments yes it's bad isn't it the advice you get from breeders. It took a year before we realised they couldn't go together and they're much happier the last eighteen months. Yes we've UVA and UVB set ups with top soil substrate plus some rocks, tortoise friendly plants and water bowls for our three indoors for cool weather and wet weather, with runs approx between 15sq ft for the smallest to 30 for biggest. Outside the bigger Mediterranean has a mix of grassy areas with plants including dandelion, plantain and self heal, and rockery with topsoil in a 44sq ft enclosure whilst the little ones have about 20sqft with housing and rockery with similar plants. On nice days like today they're outside to maximise natural sunlight. Not been a great year for the sunshine in the UK this time but all get annual checks with the vet and all very healthy. We love them!