>>I think both sexes of all U.S. mud/musk turtles have terminal spines on their tails. But the males are much larger.

>>However, an adult male yellow mud turtle will also have a tail that is just about like your pinky finger in shape and size. The terminal spine is the LEAST noticeable feature! Females have little nothing tails with a little spine at the tip. But males have huge tails...you can't miss it.



Ok so I tried to get some pics today but Scooter wouldn't chill out so I could get a good tail shot. I can try again later.

However... based on what you say I think he's a girl!



I thought Scooter is a girl originally then the spike made me change my mind but from what it sounds like now, you are describing the same thing that's true for our local desert box turtles. The females have a dinky little tail, so tiny you have to really look to see it. Their tails are tiny like Scooter's tail is, I can't pull Scooter's tail out for a photo because it's a tiny little tail.

Male box turtles here have this large thick tail with hugely thick back legs. You can't miss it when you see a male, you'd have to be blind to not see the diff in the males & females.

Scooter is a rescue who came from this area but these yellow muds are so elusive that I've yet to see one in the wild ever, & I've lived here since the '70s. So I have nothing to compare Scooter to.

Let me show you some box tails & you tell me if you think the diff between male & female in them is the same for muds.

Here's a back shot of Shell E, she's a rescue she's battered looking because she was chewed up by a dog.. what I'm saying is it's not my fault she looks this bad. lol

I'll make 2 posts because I'll have to hunt for a male photo.. that'll take a minute.





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PHRatz

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