How to differentiate between female and male turtles

It is difficult to distinguish the gender of black turtles when they are young because they are sexually immature. Although there is a saying that it can be judged based on the patterns on the back of black turtles, this statement does not have a solid scientific basis. So how do black turtles identify their gender?

How to differentiate between female and male turtles
Brazilian turtle

Among turtles of the same age, females are often larger than males. The rare Brazilian tortoise male turtles generally weigh up to 300 grams, and the female turtles generally weigh 500 grams. Other turtles have different sizes due to different species.

Generally speaking, for rare turtles, whether water turtles or land turtles, the gender can often be determined through the following gender characteristics:

1. Female turtles

The carapace is shorter and wider, the plastron is flat in the center without depression, the tail is thin and short, the tail base is thin, the cloaca is closer to the rear edge of the plastron, and the plastron is The notches produced by the two anal shields are shallow and the notch angle is large.

2. Male turtles

The carapace is long and narrow, the center of the plastron is slightly inward, the tail is thick and long, the base of the tail is thick, and the tail is vented. The genital pore is far away from the posterior edge of the plastron, and the two anal shields of the plastron produce deep notches with a small notch angle. For most common species of adult turtles, the male turtles are thinner and smaller; the female turtles are rounder, thicker and larger.

For mature individuals, you can also use the following method to identify: lift the turtle's plastron upwards, separate the thumb and index finger of the left hand to force the turtle's forelimbs and head into the shell, and use the right hand to pull the turtle's forelimbs and head into the shell. Shake the turtle's tail straight. If there is a black penis sticking out of the turtle's cloacal hole, it is a male; if there are no bubbles or thin mucus in the turtle's cloacal hole, it is a female.


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