Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:32 pm
For RES, the shape of the shell is a poor indicator of male/female. There are three good indicators:
1) The opening on the tail. If it seems very close to the shell, it is likely a she. Also, the tail will be shorter and stubbier. Further away and longer and thinner, male.
2) The front claws. If your turtle resembles Wolverine, you have a male. However, female claws can look rather large if you don't have a male for comparison.
3) The boy parts. They are a dark purple/black and protrude at random, rather alarming times. You can search the forum, I know at least one photo is floating around.
Your best help will come with some photos. Try to take a clear photo of the curving of the shell, as well as the front claws, and the underside of the tail while extended. It's hard to take some of the photos, so I recommend taking as many as you can and hopefully one will be less cloudy. You need to upload them to an independent hosting site, like Flickr, and you post the photo link to the site here.
JAX
- - -
Baby Boy - January 9th, 2011! (3 months old)
1 RES - 7" long - Umi (3.5 years old)
1 black lab/hound mix - Josie (1.5 year old)
2 cats - Mysti and Molly (6.5 years old)