General Care Discussion :: I think my turtle is female.

[Dormant]

I'm not absolutely positive but according to the comparison pictures it looks to be that way. My turtle isn't that old - only a few months, but the cloaca is positioned similarly to the female in the comparison picture. Originally, I thought it was a boy...

What will be different, though? Will the female still lay eggs without a male present?

[marisa]

At a few months your turtle's shell length without the curve is how long? Sex characteristics usually don't become apparent until the shell length is about 4 inches (for my male RES, a bit sooner) and what you're seeing now may change as your turtle grows. My RES seemed to suddenly sprout his long nails and fat tail, so I really don't think you can tell with any real certainty until your turtle grows some.

If you do have a female, when she's mature enough, she will still lay eggs without having a male to mate with. They just won't be fertile.

[Dormant]

I see. I check and it seems like it's nearing a little less than two inches but I would say more accurately it would be between one and a half and two inches.

Also, I know it might be early but you can never be prepared enough, in the instance that my turtle does lay eggs down the line what would you do with them?

[marisa]

Yes, you're being rather premature.

If your turtle is a female, when the time comes and she does lay eggs, since they wouldn't be viable, I would discard them.