Hey guys. I really don't know much about softshells, so I turn to you. I am looking to pick up a sexed pair for a friend. How to you sex them? Coloration difference or??? Thanks!
Steve
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How to sex texas spineys
Rabidboxturtle
Jun 30, 2003 10:36 PM
Replies (1)
bloomindaedalus
Jul 06, 2003 06:02 PM
sexing spiny softshells is pretty easy if you have several of each sex in front of you. Firstly, the females get much larger. Any so any spiny softshell over about ten inches in shell length is almost certainly a female. The females grow to about a foot and a half whereas many males top out between 6 and 9 inches.
But if this fails or if you have lots of smaller ones, check the tail.
Males have longer, thicker tails and the opening is pretty far from the shell. Females have smaller shells and have an opening closer to the shell.
It s probably not possible to accuratley sex softies under about 5 inches long. Sometimes males will seem to have thick tails at thei small size, but not always.
Then there are secondary characteristics:
Males are usually greener or yellower and females more brown or darkly colored in general.
males MAY have a more rough feel to their shell than females, but this is NOT always the case.
The pattern is usually more visible in adult males tha in adult females. This consists of circles and dots of yellow ringed with black on the carapace. All young ones have this,in adulthood females lose it while males retain it.
If still in doubt, post us pics and we can try to identify them for you.
