Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a eight year old sulcatta which I believe to be female. The plastron is very slightly indented, short spurs under the head and once I saw a fleshy flat mass originate from the tortoise temporarily hang outside the body(don't know what it was). What sex do yoy think my tortoise is? I can send pictures of its plastron.Thanks

How big is your tortoise? They vary greatly at different ages.
General rule of thumb is that they can't be accurately sexed until
they are at least 12" straight line length. I have heard of
something like you mentioned coming out slightly from the shell
on females. If it's a male he'd most likely be fanning a lot,
mine does it daily and when urinating and there's no mistaking
it for anything else - it practically lifts him off the ground
too and he's not a small tortoise. With smaller front gulars
and a flatter bottom it may well be a female.

Tough to tell without picture. Sounds like a male, but I'd need to know about gular process and posterior end of plastron. I'd love to see this guy (gal?) Please either post pics or send to me via email.