Reptile & Amphibian Forums

While looking up tortoise info., I ran across the website of the Dutch Turtle/Tortoise society, and on one of their pages, there was a synopsis of an article discussing the possibility of sexing Hermann's hatchlings by how they carry their tails:

Bulsing, P.; Sex recognition by young Testudo hermanni boettgeri.

In most cases it is virtually impossible to determine the sexes in hatchlings of tortoises and turtles. The author points out that the way Testudo hermanni boettgeri hatchlings tend to carry their tails could be a clue whether dealing with a male or female. Hatchlings that have their tails aside could be males, whereas specimens that have their tails straight could be females. Furthermore, the author describes a case in which a three year old "female" T. h. boettgeri that carried her the tail aside, later turned out to be a male after the tail had grown into full size.

I would be interested in hearing if anyone has heard of this, and if there's any merit in it?
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

That's interesting, and I have never heard of that before, Sohni. From what you posted, it doesn't exactly sound like the guy has a whole lot of evidence showing this method actually is accurate.

When I first got some sulcatas years ago, which were only a couple of months old, I did notice a bit of a difference in their tails and wondered it it meant anything. It wasn't so much the way they held them as it was the shape. Unfortunately, I didn't keep them long enough to postitively sex them and find out if it meant anything or not.

I also recently noticed that one of my "female" Russian tortoises has actually turned out to be a male. "She" was the smallest one I have, but I always thought she was plenty old enough to be sure about the sex. She definitely had a very female tail, but she did seem to carry it to the side more than most females would. When I caught all my Russians and put them in the fridge for hibernation last month, I noticed that this particular female now has a long and definitely masculine tail and now I guess I have 3 males and four females.

What is it with me and gender-bending chelonians?

I started to notice this with my Russian hatchlings over two yrs ago.
As it's likely to be still a few more yrs before they actually "sex themselves", I only have my own data as "evidence".

I do think that it could have some merit.

graham(UK)

wow,that would be awesome if it as actual way to tell. in that case,my tort is a male. so the name Crash does fit!

I have a 2 year old Hermanns and he just showed us that he is a male for sure. He definately has always carried his tail to the side like you discribed. I was told I might need to wait until he was 5 years old or so to be able to tell but he has been fanning so I know he is a little boy.

np
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

He is 6 1/2" in length and 1lb. 3/4 oz. Full of personality but a real fighter. He bit the end of the tail off of my other Hermanns when I put them together for a trial run. Needless to say, they are permantly seperated now. He will even ram a mirror if I put it up to him. I love him just the same though.