Your male is a female!

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Posted by Annie Lancaster-TortoiseAid on May 17, 2001 at 01:50:16:

In Reply to: OMG someone please tell me what's going on?!!! posted by Michelle on May 15, 2001 at 09:36:07:

Your female desert tortoise...although not introduced to a male can and will lay eggs, especially under certain circumstances, most of which are husbandry related.

Chances are those are the only two eggs. Chances are also..that the eggs are not fertile after this long a period of time without a male around...Gopherus tend to retain sperm for 2 to 4 years.
She may not want to eat because her habitat has been changed...she is not accustomed to the nest box, and chances are, she will NOT use it except to sleep in. They're normally very picky about nesting sites when gravid (fertile eggs) and if this nest box is removed, she may resume normal activities.

I would like to suggest you join the Desert tortoise listserve...the link is below.

Also..Did I read she laid them on a floor? Is she outside, or kept indoors? Desert torts need strong, unfiltered sunlight to remain healthy, and plenty of native grasses, weeds and wildflowers to eat.

Physical variations between male and female Gopherus (Xerobates) agassizii:

MALE:
Upward longer curved gular scute
Indented plastron
Larger overall size
Swollen glands beneath the chin during mating season
Aggressive behabiour toward other tortoise (butting, ramming, flipping over) this is why males cannot be kept together BTW)
Vent looks more like a slit and is further from the base of the tail. Tail length itself is not always a good indication of sexing desert torts)

FEMALE
Rounder carapace appearance.
absolutely FLAT plastron.
longer rear claws (for nest digging).
Aggressive only when wanting to nest..
Straight, shorter gular scute.
Vent "puckered" and closer to base of tail.

I might also mention...that it is illegal to propagate (breed) desert tortoises, in case some of you might not be aware of this law.
Better to mention it now than have someone in trouble later!

I hope this helps...

Annie

Desert Tortoise Listserve

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Comments:
: Your female desert tortoise...although not introduced to a male can and will lay eggs, especially under certain circumstances, most of which are husbandry related. : Chances are those are the only two eggs. Chances are also..that the eggs are not fertile after this long a period of time without a male around...Gopherus tend to retain sperm for 2 to 4 years. : She may not want to eat because her habitat has been changed...she is not accustomed to the nest box, and chances are, she will NOT use it except to sleep in. They're normally very picky about nesting sites when gravid (fertile eggs) and if this nest box is removed, she may resume normal activities. : I would like to suggest you join the Desert tortoise listserve...the link is below. : Also..Did I read she laid them on a floor? Is she outside, or kept indoors? Desert torts need strong, unfiltered sunlight to remain healthy, and plenty of native grasses, weeds and wildflowers to eat. : Physical variations between male and female Gopherus (Xerobates) agassizii: : MALE: : Upward longer curved gular scute : Indented plastron : Larger overall size : Swollen glands beneath the chin during mating season : Aggressive behabiour toward other tortoise (butting, ramming, flipping over) this is why males cannot be kept together BTW) : Vent looks more like a slit and is further from the base of the tail. Tail length itself is not always a good indication of sexing desert torts) : FEMALE : Rounder carapace appearance. : absolutely FLAT plastron. : longer rear claws (for nest digging). : Aggressive only when wanting to nest.. : Straight, shorter gular scute. : Vent "puckered" and closer to base of tail. : I might also mention...that it is illegal to propagate (breed) desert tortoises, in case some of you might not be aware of this law. : Better to mention it now than have someone in trouble later! : I hope this helps... : Annie

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