Re: Sulcata

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Posted by Kathy on May 18, 2000 at 01:14:32:

In Reply to: Sulcata posted by Ralph on May 17, 2000 at 16:50:25:

I'm not real sure if that's big enough for a 'true' sexing, but a male will typically have an inward slight curve in its plastron (under shell), as well as a thicker tail than the female. A female will have a wider 'V'in her shell, right underneath her tail to allow eggs to pass easier. I'm not sure about sulcatas, but I would assume that it's the same for most, the males will typically have longer nails also.

For watering, try a flower pot saucer buried in the substrate nearly to the top lip of the saucer so your tortoise doesn't have trouble getting in. You may also need to spread some flat rocks, or gravel, on the inside of the saucer so your guy can easily get out too. If you house your tortoises outside, it seems they prefer to drink 'naturally,' like out of small pools of water from the sprinkler instead of from a bowl. Also, I'm not sure what you're using for bedding, but if your tortoise is digging everything up so he can hide, you might try an upside down cardboard (or rubbermaid-type) box with a doorway cut into it. Put a bunch of timothy hay, alfalfa, rabbit pellets, etc. under the box and then he can get in there and hide and burrow if he needs to.

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: I'm not real sure if that's big enough for a 'true' sexing, but a male will typically have an inward slight curve in its plastron (under shell), as well as a thicker tail than the female. A female will have a wider 'V'in her shell, right underneath her tail to allow eggs to pass easier. I'm not sure about sulcatas, but I would assume that it's the same for most, the males will typically have longer nails also. : For watering, try a flower pot saucer buried in the substrate nearly to the top lip of the saucer so your tortoise doesn't have trouble getting in. You may also need to spread some flat rocks, or gravel, on the inside of the saucer so your guy can easily get out too. If you house your tortoises outside, it seems they prefer to drink 'naturally,' like out of small pools of water from the sprinkler instead of from a bowl. Also, I'm not sure what you're using for bedding, but if your tortoise is digging everything up so he can hide, you might try an upside down cardboard (or rubbermaid-type) box with a doorway cut into it. Put a bunch of timothy hay, alfalfa, rabbit pellets, etc. under the box and then he can get in there and hide and burrow if he needs to.

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