figuring out the sexes of russian tortoises is easy if they are old enough, the female has this tiny little tail that usually hangs straight back, also the cloaca is at the base of the tail. males have a huge tail in comparison, sometimes long enough to wrap around the top of one thigh. males usually have to hold their tails tucked to the side its so long, also a males cloaca looks more like a slit and is about halfway down the tail. the long tail is for breeding, the penis comes out of the male cloaca and must be close enough to reach the female's