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I must be retarded, because even after looking through everything about sexing I am still confused what this one is. Please help.

HI

My guess is male as his tail is quite long .

Cheers SAM

HI

That was my guess too, but when I read that females had the U shape and males the V shape then I got confused as he definately has a U shape. It doesn't matter either way. I named "it" Ringo Star when I got him a year ago so at least if it's a male then he would fit his name. Thanks

The above post is stated incorrectly. It is the famales which have the "V" shaped configuration of the anal scutes and the males which have the less angular shape which is often described as a "C" on its side or an upside down "U".

The tips of the anal scutes in a female point straight back from the body, while the tips of those scutes in a male point to the sides. The latter occurs more and more as the males become more sexually mature. In an old male, there is only a slight inward bow to a line drawn between the tips of the two anal scutes.

The tortoise in the first photo is a young male and the tips of his anal scutes are beginning to go out to the sides, creating the gentle curve of the "C" between them rather than pointing straight back and forming a "V" between them.

I am not trying to doubt your info. You sound like you know what you are talking about but the info her

http://www.geocities.com/carolinatortoises/starcare.html

states that males have the V and Females have the U, this is not the only site that points this out. I will take some better pics of my turtles butt...LOL and post them and hopefully that will help.

Here is two more pics. First of his/her tail extended all the way and then another close up. Thanks for everyones help and advice.

Your star is a male. The post by "zovick" above is absolutely correct.

Below is a picture of 2 pairs, four proven adults, for comparison.

Hope this helps.

I am sorry, but that info is incorrect no matter how many times it is stated. Someone got it backwards and other people are probably just parroting the incorrect info read at one site.

I have been breeding tortoises for 40 years and have bred TWO generations of Star Tortoises and Radiated Tortoises and can telkl you without reservation that the females have the "V" notch. This is to allow the eggs to fit out between the plastron and the carapace.

Another point to notice: additional to the "U" or "C" shape to the posterior border of the anal scutes in males, their supracaudal scute usually curves inward strongly, sometimes so much so that there would not be enough room for an egg to pass out between the plastron and the carapace. This is a dead giveaway to the sex being male. Females' supracaudal scutes are not curved in toward the plastron for this reason.

If anyone should know, it is Mr. Z.
He has bred many different types of tortoises over the past few decades including probably all of the "stars".

Listen to Mr.Zovickian. It is definitely a male. Also, the tail is a male tail, long at the base and a groove at the end. Try watching his tail when you soak him to see if he everts his penis.

Looks female to me. A pic with the tail extended would help to be sure.

>>I must be retarded, because even after looking through everything about sexing I am still confused what this one is. Please help.
>>

Looks like a female. If you send me your tortoise, I will let my male Indian Star to confirm it.

The tail is what you look at...it kinda looks female to me as well....the U or the V is not always distinguishable in all species....that taill looks female because of the size of the tortoise. If that was a male that tail should be way bigger...any star experts????
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Michael Enriquez

Here is a good site with visual references:

http://www.chelonia.org/sexing/sexing_Geochelone_platynota.htm

A good way to remember sexing is, the anal scutes on females are CONCAVE. The anal scutes on the males are CONVEX.

Good luck!