Leopard Tortoise - Male or Female?

[Savvy]

Hiya,

Could someone please tell me if my leo tort is male or female? I've been looking at pics and reading but am still confused. I originally thought Male when I bought 'him' a year ago but am now not so sure? Could someone also tell me a sure way to identify? The book I have has just completely confused me, even with pics!! Sorry its such a basic question but even after a year, I'm still very much learning!!!! I feel a bit....

I have removed the piece of grass hanging from his leg, btw! lol.

[Savvy]

Whoops! Sorry about the enormity of the photo. I did adjust it in photobucket but its no happened!!

[-EJ]

First guess would be female... 90% sure.

The odds are that it is a North African race Leopard. Check for multiple spots on each carapace scute.

Ed

Originally Posted by Savvy

Hiya,

Could someone please tell me if my leo tort is male or female? I've been looking at pics and reading but am still confused. I originally thought Male when I bought 'him' a year ago but am now not so sure? Could someone also tell me a sure way to identify? The book I have has just completely confused me, even with pics!! Sorry its such a basic question but even after a year, I'm still very much learning!!!! I feel a bit....

I have removed the piece of grass hanging from his leg, btw! lol.

[Savvy]

Thanks so much for the reply. I was thinking female myself now but when I first got 'him', I thought 'he' was a male. Hence my confusion.

Also thankyou for the tip on identifying the type of leo 'she' is!

[terrypin]

Originally Posted by -EJ

First guess would be female... 90% sure.

The odds are that it is a North African race Leopard. Check for multiple spots on each carapace scute.

Ed

hi this is difficult i have a sub-adult at 6" scl who until recently i really thought was a male the anal scutes are identical to yours and i must confess i am starting to suspect it is a female,definately not a classic shape for identification. mine is clearly a babcocki Ed i hatched it myself about 5 1/2 years ago maybe one or two spots over the whole carapace.
could you say what is the length of this tortoise please.
terry

[-EJ]

I should have been more clear... the multiple spots on each scute is indicative of the south African race.

Ed

Originally Posted by terrypin

hi this is difficult i have a sub-adult at 6" scl who until recently i really thought was a male the anal scutes are identical to yours and i must confess i am starting to suspect it is a female,definately not a classic shape for identification. mine is clearly a babcocki Ed i hatched it myself about 5 1/2 years ago maybe one or two spots over the whole carapace.

terry

[terrypin]

Originally Posted by -EJ

I should have been more clear... the multiple spots on each scute is indicative of the south African race.

Ed

thats what i thought, you certainly had me going there.
terry

[-EJ]

That's what happens when I type in a hurry and don't think it through.

Ed

Originally Posted by terrypin

thats what i thought, you certainly had me going there.
terry

[terrypin]

i think we have all done that

terry

[Savvy]

Terry: It's Verity (Mr_H from the other forum!). My account isn't working at the moment otherwise I would've pm'd you!! haha. (you can run but you can't hide!! lol)

He/She is now 13cm. I honestly thought 'he' was a 'he' but am now having doubts, as I said before.

Thanks to you both for taking the time to reply.

Vx