Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We recently adopted a box turtle with MBD. We believe it is a female due to VERY small tail. However during defication while in water we observed a black round mass that looked like a small black water-ballon filled with sand(which is much bigger than the tail). It just kind of layed at the bottom. After deffication it retracted back in. The turtle did not seem to be in any pain because of this. The previous owner states that this occures every time she defficates whether in the water or out. Is this prolaps? Or is the turtle incorrectly sexed? Should we be worried? Thanks in advance for your help. Expect to get more questions about this turtle.

Sounds like male genetalia to me.

Check the photo in this link (scroll down to the bottom, photo on the right) and compare it to what you've been seeing. The photo illustrates a male fanning its penis. It is rather alarming to witness the first time... but it's also pretty normal. If it doeasn't/can't retract, then you may have cause for concern.

Forgot the link! Here it is.
Link

Thank you so much for all your help. We thought she/he might be male. Our big concern was that the mass appeared black. And atleast as far as human anatomy goes black organs are dead organs. But since it always retracts back in I guess its not a big deal. Anyway once again thanks.