How to determine the sex of a red-eared turtle yourself

Red-eared turtles are amazing and funny creatures that today are found not only in the natural environment, but also in many home aquariums. The popularity of these pets is only increasing over time. They are cute, cheeky, lively, and are not averse to quarreling with their relatives and putting on a hilarious face. Of course, reptiles differ from the more common pets - cats, dogs, parrots; they require special conditions of maintenance and nutrition. In addition, they raise a lot of questions among novice owners, for example, it is not always clear why they behave one way or another, and even the sexual difference of individuals often remains in question . How to determine the sex of red-eared turtles, what to look for?

How to determine the sex of a red-eared turtle

It is possible to distinguish the sex of red-eared turtles by external characteristics that are present in each individual of this species. The main differences in the gender of animals:

• Differences in shell color.
• Tail type and size.
• The color of a reptile's nose.
• The size of the animal's shell.
• Location of the cloaca.
• Head.

Claw length

The claws on the hind legs are dull in both animals. The male's is longer and sharper.

Males use their claws to secure themselves to their partners' shells during breeding.

Red-eared slider's nails

This method does not reliably help to find out the sex, because in young reptiles the claws are not fully formed, and a mature animal wears off its manicure on hard ground.

Paws

Male reptiles have femoral spurs on their paws and small scales on their hind limbs.

Features of the shell

To determine the sex of a red-eared slider, look at the ventral part of the shell (plastron). In males it is concave, in females it is not.

The protective element of turtles of different sexes is different. The shell of males is long, in the tail part it forms the Latin letter V. In females, the shell is rounded and large, for bearing eggs. A special hole at the end is for storing.

Male and female shell

Males have fewer female companions. There are some exceptions.

In female individuals the color of the plastron is different, in males it is blue.

Tail and cloaca

The most reliable factor in determining gender. In males, the process at the back of the body is long, and the base and tip are wide. Females are characterized by the presence of a short tail uniform in length.

The female's cloaca is located closer to the base of the tail and resembles an asterisk. The reptile's anus is wide for laying eggs. The male's cloaca looks more like a longitudinal line, which is located in the back, closer to the tip of the process.

Cloaca in red-eared turtles

By behavior

The female has a calm character. She rarely moves unless necessary.

Males, on the contrary, are aggressive. When breeding, they chase the female

They try to attract attention by biting the female on the neck, and also nod often

Other signs

Each type of reptile has a special iris color. Aquatic turtles of different sexes have different eye colors.

The female individual has a yellow nose. For men it is pointed and small.

The male's head is larger with a longitudinal stripe of a reddish hue, which during reproduction takes on a rich, bright color. The upper jaw is whitish in color.

Heads of red-eared turtles

A rare method is a blood test and x-rays. It is pointless to use the method before the age of seven. Males have not yet formed testes, and females have ovaries. Upon reaching puberty, a boy is identified by a blood test that shows elevated levels of testosterone. Ultrasound helps to identify a female individual during the formation of follicles.

Other signs

There are other methods for distinguishing a female from a male red-eared slider. For example, this can be done by looking at the iris of the eye—individuals of different sexes have different eye colors. Females have a yellow nose. In males it is pointed and small. The male usually has a larger head and a brighter red stripe. During reproduction, it acquires a rich scarlet color. In females, the color of the head is paler, and the red stripe is not as prominent.

A rare method to find out gender is a blood test and x-ray. This technique cannot be used until the age of seven, because the testes of males have not yet matured, and the ovaries of females have not yet matured.

A blood test will not help determine the gender of a turtle until it is under seven years old.

1. When the age of puberty is reached, the sex can be determined by testing the reptile's blood.
2. There is also a method for determining gender using ultrasound.

The differences are especially visible if you compare several animals. Sometimes individual signs are similar in several individuals, so it is better to check the gender based on all factors at once. If the animal has improper living conditions, the reptile may experience hormonal imbalance. Then only an experienced veterinarian can determine the sex of the animal.

Reproduction

The breeding season for red-eared turtles that live in the Southern Hemisphere is from September to December, and those that live in the Northern Hemisphere is from April to June. As a rule, mating occurs under water. They build their cozy nests on the sand near the water, in places shaded by plants, so as not to overheat. Male pet turtles reach sexual maturity at 4 years, females at 6 years. The mating period at home is from February to May. After mating, the female comes to land to lay eggs.

Therefore, it is very important for these animals to create appropriate conditions in captivity. Small turtles are born after 105-150 days; the ambient temperature should not fall below 21 degrees. The length of the cubs is 3 cm

The length of the cubs is 3 cm.

Offspring are born during the rainy season, which lasts from September to December in areas north of the equator, and in June in areas south of the equator.

Interesting: What causes a snail's shell to crack?

Determining age by rings

Another way to find out the age of a red-eared slider is by the appearance of new rings in the pattern of its shell. The first of them form before she is a year old, and after that new ones appear, two or three annually. Again, the method suffers from inaccuracy. Of course, after observing your pet for a year or two, you can calculate by how much the number of rings increases and estimate the age based on the existing ones. But! The formation of such patterns very much depends on the conditions in which the turtle lived before you. Even hibernation or lack thereof can significantly affect the rate of formation of new patterns. The tightness of the home, the quantity and quality of food, the temperature in the house are all factors that influence the development of rings. Although it will still be possible to establish an approximate age with an error of 5-6 years.

Behavioral features

Most animals change their character during mating, and red-eared turtles are no exception. By some habits you can understand which sex a particular individual belongs to. First of all, at this time the males perk up, become more active and mobile

How else? After all, the primary task is to attract the attention of a female who is ready to mate. To do this, they stage real performances demonstrating their own capabilities and advantages. If an individual begins to wave its front legs with long, large claws in front of another turtle, then there should be no doubt - this is a male

In addition, gentlemen at this time become incredibly intrusive and literally do not give the “brides” passage, while making enticing, playful head movements

If an individual begins to wave its front legs with long, large claws in front of another turtle, then there should be no doubt that this is a male. In addition, gentlemen at this time become incredibly intrusive and literally do not allow the “brides” passage, while making enticing, playful head movements.

Claw length

Males of this breed, however, like most representatives of other varieties of turtles, have forelimbs equipped with elongated claws. Females also have them, but their length is much more modest, and there are no points at the ends. The male uses them during mating, holding the female with them, eliminating the possibility of slipping.

There is one caveat - when living in an artificial tank, a turtle can grind its claws on an island of land. In this case, it all depends on the material from which this section is made.

What conditions should be created for a pair of turtles?

Thus, we found out how to determine the sex and age of red-eared turtles. Selecting an adult male and female for keeping at home will not be difficult. But getting offspring from red eareds in captivity, even if the aquarium contains guaranteed individuals of different sexes, will still be quite problematic. These turtles lay their eggs not in water, but on land, burying them in the sand.

But be that as it may, the conditions for a couple of turtles in the aquarium, of course, should be created decent. In this case, a container for keeping reptiles should be purchased with a volume of at least 150 liters. For each turtle, you need to provide its own raft with suction cups and a stand. An incandescent lamp and a UV lamp should be placed above the rafts to create a comfortable temperature.

If the owners of turtles still expect to get offspring, in the aquarium, among other things, they will need to place a cuvette with sand or peat. Such a container should be installed so that the female can easily climb into it. Layed red ear eggs can then be incubated in a regular chicken apparatus at a temperature of 22-30 °C.

- These are terrarium pets that do not require complex knowledge in care and maintenance at home. But the difficult part is determining the sex of the red-eared turtle, because you need to make sure that it is a boy and a girl.

At an early age, it is difficult to determine the female. Red-eared turtles reach maturity only at 7–8 years after birth, when characteristic signs begin to clearly appear and it becomes easier to determine the sex of the baby.

Adviсe

• Sex can be recognized after puberty.
• A reliable option would be to make comparisons across multiple animals. Sometimes some signs are similar in turtles of different sexes. It is better to check pets based on several factors.
• Living conditions in animals sometimes cause hormonal imbalance. Then only a veterinarian can determine the sex.

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How to find out the gender of a red-eared slider: basic methods

In order not to be confused, let us immediately clarify: the sex of a red-eared turtle can be determined by a person who is not a herpetologist (as specialists who study reptiles are called) only after the reptile reaches “marriage age.”

It is for this reason that all sources note that the sex of a red-eared turtle can be determined starting from the age of 5–7 years (before this period, all individuals look like females).

Important! The red-eared turtle lives for about 30 years, and the reptile reaches sexual maturity between 6–8 years. When kept at home, this age shifts slightly: boys become adults by 4, girls by 5–6 years

There are several signs that allow you to distinguish a male from a female, but in order for the “expertise” to be as reliable as possible, you should use all of them, and only by comparing the study of each parameter, draw a general conclusion.

Claw length

Claws, oddly enough, help determine the sex of a reptile better than all other criteria. It is enough to see a photo or video of the “toes” of the front paws of a male and female red-eared turtle once to appreciate and remember their fundamental differences.

The length of the claws of males is longer than that of females, and significantly. By the time he reaches puberty, such a serious tool is simply necessary for the “gentleman”, otherwise he will not be able to stay on the slippery shell of the “lady” at the most crucial moment of sexual intercourse, and the process of fertilization will not occur.

Girls have no need for such “accessories”, so their claws are short and blunt.

True, there is one problem. Male turtles kept in captivity sometimes grind off their long and sharp claws on too rough pebbles in the aquaterrarium, therefore, after carefully examining the reptile’s paws, we proceed to study the following parameters.

Carapace

Another rather informative part of the body of a turtle, from the point of view of identifying its gender, is the shell, or, to be more precise, its abdominal part (it is called the plastron), since it is under it, in the area of ​​the tail, that the genitals of the reptile are located, causing the differences in the structure of the protective frame.

The lower plate of the reptile’s shell contains four clues at once that allow one to determine the sex, namely:

1. The lower plate of the shell in males has a narrower, elongated shape, while in females the plastron is more flattened.
2. In the area of ​​the tail, the plastron is pointed in boys and rounded in girls.
3. In the same area (near the tail), the plastron in males is slightly concave inward, in females it is completely flat. This change in shape allows the male to fix the inseminator in the female’s genitals at the time of sexual intercourse.
4. The plastron in males always has a bluish tint; in females it can be different.

Did you know? In 2008, Chinese scientists put an end to a long scientific dispute about why a turtle actually needs a shell. It turns out that this hard shell initially served the reptiles not as protection at all, but... as a digging tool, with the help of which, in combination with wide ribs and powerful front paws, the reptiles could easily get to the water. In the process of evolution, however, the shell ceased to fulfill its original purpose, turning into excellent armor. True, it is precisely this armor that the turtle owes its slowness, which has become a household word.

Tail and cloaca

The tail of males is noticeably thicker and longer than that of females, since it is under it that the penis is hidden. Another important indicator is that ladies' ponytails have almost the same thickness along the entire length, while boys' ponytails are much wider at the base than at the tip.

It should be noted that many breeders evaluate the sex of their pets precisely on this basis, considering it as simple as possible.

Important! The penis of a turtle can sometimes be visually observed; in particular, at the time of defecation, it can turn outward. Having seen this once, no problems will arise with identifying the gender of this particular individual. So, in boys this hole is located closer to the end of the tail, approximately in its last third, and in girls it is closer to its base, almost at the plastron

So, in boys this hole is located closer to the end of the tail, approximately in its last third, and in girls it is closer to its base, almost at the plastron.

The shape of the cloaca in female turtles resembles a star, in boys it resembles a longitudinal line.

In addition, in the tail area of ​​the female there is a rather large hole intended for laying eggs.

Features of behavior of both sexes

If you are still unable to determine the sex of your red-eared slider, you must first select one turtle. When she grows up a little, you will be able to clearly verify the truth of her gender. After some time, you will be able to understand the behavior of turtles and relate it to a specific sex. But for such an analysis you need to have sufficient experience in breeding turtles of both sexes. You can observe their behavior in the pet store.

Many experienced amateur naturalists have come to the conclusion that females are the calmest. The fact is that the boys are very active, moving around their property and tasting everything that comes their way. Their interest in their chosen one is clearly manifested.

active head nodding

Another sign for determining the sex of a turtle can be the shape of its muzzle. But this sign is very controversial and cannot be the main one, since it has no basis in confirmation by zoologists. Males have a more pointed muzzle than females - this is a distinctive feature of this method.

Second way

The reptile's shell represents its unique passport, provided that it was provided with good care, properly fed and provided with enough living space.

In this case, the concentric rings on the carapace will indicate a certain number of years she has lived. These rings first appear on the turtle’s shell when it reaches one year of age, and for the first two years of its life, the grooves of the rings are marked quite dynamically, adding two or three every six months.

To do this most accurately, you need to count the number of rings in different parts of the carapace and display the average result.

Mr. Tail Recommends: A Step-by-Step Turtle Inspection

It is recommended to determine the sex of a turtle by examining the shell (shell). In females, the shape is less elongated than in sexually mature males, characterized by rounded ends and greater width. Red-eared females (popularly called dwarf) are larger than males. This is explained by the need to bear healthy offspring during pregnancy. Males have a long, sharp nose.

To use the technique in practice, you must have experience working with reptiles and have several adult turtles in the aquarium to reduce the likelihood of error to a minimum.

It is easier to distinguish gender by plastron. This is the abdominal shield, which is part of the shell. To begin the inspection, you need to turn the turtle over, but do this while holding it along the edges of the tail, which will protect you from being bitten. Males have a concave plastron, females are flat-bodied. Differences are important for mating:

• when concave, the male can securely fixate on the partner;
• The flat shape makes it easier to carry eggs.

Male reptiles have a notch closer to the tail, which looks like the letter V. Knowing the characteristics of the acquired reptile species, you can recognize the sex by additional characteristics:

Turtle

Differences

In most species, males, unlike females, have long and sharp claws. The reason is that they help protect their lives and territory and make the mating process easier. An exception is African leopards, as pregnant individuals use enlarged structures to lay eggs.

The difference can be established by examining the cloaca - the opening on the underside of the tail. Males are characterized by larger sizes than females. It can be seen near the end of the appendage, and in the female's body the cloaca is closer to the shell and has a star-shaped shape. In male specimens of Central Asian, yellow-eared and other aquatic species, it looks like a longitudinal stripe.

The structure of male Mediterranean land turtles includes the location of the genital organs in the tail, which explains its large size and thickness. Puberty girls do not need increased dimensions. Upon careful examination of the paws, it can be established that males are characterized by protrusions, and the hind limbs are equipped with small scales.

The severity of the femoral spurs indicates that the individual is male. In females they may be barely noticeable or absent altogether.

In rare cases, being kept outside natural conditions provokes hormonal imbalance in ornamental turtles. With this development of events, it is impossible to distinguish the sex without the help of a professional, so you need to contact a veterinarian.

Be sure to wash your hands after examining turtles. The reptile's body may contain bacilli of acute intestinal infections, which do not affect its health, but are destructive to humans.

Determining the sex of a turtle based on secondary characteristics (external characteristics)

Examining a turtle's shell

Examine your turtle's shell.

Depending on the species of turtle, the shell or shell differs between the male and female. Adult males often have a more elongated carapace compared to the female's carapace.

• To determine the sex of a turtle, this method can be extremely difficult, due to the fact that you must make sure that the turtle has reached sexual maturity. You can make a mistake and assume that the turtle is male, while the turtle simply has not yet reached puberty and then it turns out that it is a female
• There may be differences in the size of a large male and a small female, which makes it impossible to determine the sex, especially if you have one animal.

Examine the turtle's plastron.

Plastron - called the side of the shell from below. To examine the plastron, carefully tip the turtle upside down. Turtles don't like being upside down. They begin to get nervous, roll over and have every chance of trying to bite, for this reason it is necessary to hold the turtle with the shell closer to the tail so that your pet cannot reach and bite you. Carefully tip the turtle over and look at the plastron. The male's plastron is slightly concave (has an inward bend), while the female's is smooth.

• The concave plastron of the male turtle allows him to hold on to the female during mating.
• The flat pattern of the female's plastron helps the female carry her eggs.

Check to see if the turtle's tail has a notch.

The males of some species of turtles have a notch on the back of their shell that is shaped like the letter "V". This notch is adapted for the tail when mating the skull. Since the turtle can press its tail against the plastron.

Pay attention to species features. Depending on the species, turtles have their own characteristic color features that help in determining the sex of the turtle:

Depending on the species, turtles have their own characteristic color features that help in determining the sex of the turtle:

Depending on the species, turtles have their own characteristic color features that help in determining the sex of the turtle:

• American box turtle: in 90% of cases, the iris layer of the eye in males is red or orange, and in females it is brown or yellowish. In addition, females have the largest dome-shaped shell, rounded in shape, while the male has a more flattened, oval or oblong shape.
• Painted turtle: males have a blue shell, and if the plastron is a different color, the female.

Males need claws most of all because during mating they fight for the rights to mate with the female during the rut. They are also needed more to protect their territory. Therefore, the claws on the front paws of males are larger than those of females. Well, to notice these differences you need two individuals. This method helps determine the sex of the red-eared slider.

In the red-eared turtle, the male has much longer claws than the female.

The cloaca is located on the tail of males and females. In most animal species, the location may differ between females and males.

• The cloaca in females is more rounded and shaped like a star. The location of the cloaca is closer to the shell and almost around the body.
• The male's cloaca is longer and larger. Located in the last third of the tail.

The male's reproductive organs are located in the tail, which is why the tail is thicker and longer than that of females. Females have a shorter and thinner tail.

To install turtle flooring using this method, you will need to know the tail sizes for females and males. Otherwise, this will not bring you an accurate result.

If you combine several signs at once, you can more accurately determine the sex of the turtle, but if the secondary signs are poorly distinguishable. Determine the sex a little later when the signs are more expressive.

Why do turtles live so long?

This animal can survive for a long time not only without food, but also without water. There are cases where turtles went without eating food for a long time, measured in several years. This amazing fact of their behavior was recorded quite a long time ago. Turtles move very slowly throughout their long lives and have wrinkled skin. For these reasons, age-related changes and aging are very difficult to notice in them. The same applies to internal organs.

Scientists have long been looking for an answer to what determines the lifespan of turtles by studying their genetic characteristics. Natural death of these reptiles occurs very rarely. The cause of death is often illness or death from predators and people.

If these cases were excluded, the life of turtles would last much longer. They have another amazing feature - they control the heartbeat: stop it for a while and then start it again. When the heart stops, the turtle freezes and does not move at all.

Reliable determination of a pet's age

It is not difficult for a specialist to determine its age just by looking at a reptile. But what should inexperienced owners do when they get such an unusual pet? You can use several methods - measure the length of the carapace, evaluate the nature of its pattern, the shape and color of the shield.

Method I

It's not 100% correct, but it's still worth a look because it's fairly easy to do.

Initially, it is important to find out whether the turtle is male or female, which is not so easy to do, especially if we are talking about a young individual. And only after this can you measure the diameter of the reptile’s shell and compare the data obtained with basic information:

• in the first year of life, the size of the carapace in red whales is 6 cm, regardless of gender;
• in the second year of life, the diameter of the armored shield of females increases to 9 cm, of males - to 8 cm;
• by the 3rd year, the carapace of females grows to 13-14 cm, and in males its length does not exceed 10 cm;
• in the 4th year, the size of the shell of males and females increases on average by 2 cm;
• in 5-year-old individuals, the length of the carapace is 18 cm in the case of a female, and 14 cm in males;
• at 6 years, the female’s shield increases by 2 cm, the male’s by 3 cm.

When a reptile reaches 6 years of age, its shell grows to its maximum size, and subsequently its diameter remains practically unchanged. Even if this happens, the increase is insignificant, and gradually the growth stops completely. The size of the carapace of a red-eared turtle is associated with the following factors:

• variety of diet;
• the size of the aquaterrarium;
• living conditions;
• the absence of hibernation or the presence of this period.

If you take into account such nuances, it is easy to understand that errors, often quite significant, cannot be avoided in calculations. Having obtained data in this way, you can correct the result using another technique - the most reliable.

II method

This method is based on determining the age of a reptile from the image on its carapace. Experts consider a turtle's shell to be its individual identifier, comparing it to a human fingerprint.

If the turtle eats well and lives in suitable conditions, then the shield pattern will be unique. But when a reptile lives in an unsuitable environment, is injured, becomes dry, or experiences other difficulties, its scutes can become deformed and peel off, which negatively affects the pattern.

There are a number of concentric rings on the shell that indicate its age. They appear in individuals after the first year of life, and then become intense during the 2nd and 3rd years. Every 6 months there are 2-3 more rings, after which the process slows down, and then only one ring appears per year.

If you count the number of rings, it is easy to find out how old the four-legged swimming pet is. Even if he came to a new home already as a large, adult individual. To get an accurate figure, you need to count the rings and take the average result. And in this case, some discrepancy with reality is possible.

III method

This method is based on assessing the color of the carapace - the intensity of the shade changes with age. The younger the individual, the lighter and calmer the color of its shell. After 4 years his tone becomes darker. Older red-eared turtles have an almost black shield, and this also applies to the rings.

As the reptile matures, the carapace becomes regular, oval in shape, and its surface becomes smooth, which is not the case in young animals. Young turtles are more active, energetic and inquisitive, they move more and climb everywhere. Old individuals are sedentary and phlegmatic; they can often be found resting. But such signs are observed not only in turtles, but also in other creatures - old age manifests itself in the same way in almost everyone.

It is worth noting that if the pet was purchased when it was still small, then there is no particular need to calculate its exact age. The main thing is to distinguish between the needs of young, adult and elderly reptiles and provide suitable food and amenities. But, regardless of age, the red ear needs clean water, ultraviolet rays, warmth and maintaining certain parameters of both water and air. This is the key to a healthy, long and fulfilling life for your pet.

Many animal lovers have problems when it comes to determining the gender of a pet, but if the differences in the structure of primary sexual characteristics in cats and dogs are more or less clear to all of us, then the task of finding out whether a red-eared slider is male or female can baffle anyone.

Fortunately, in reality everything is not as difficult as it seems.

When it becomes clear - a boy in the aquaterrarium or a girl

Unfortunately, it is not so easy to distinguish a male red ear from a female, and even a specialist will not be able to select babies of the desired sex among the young animals. More or less obvious signs appear only during puberty of individuals.

Red ears can reproduce from 6-8 years of age; it is during this period that sexual differences are most noticeable. But indirect signs are also present in 1.5-2 year old turtles, and if you compare them all, you can find out the sex of your pet.

An owner who is tormented by the question of the sex of a reptile living in his aquarium should pay attention to a number of physiological characteristics of these reptiles.

MEET YOUR PET

Red-eared turtles are easy to care for and therefore are recommended for those who first decided to have reptiles. Red-eared turtles are a freshwater species. They live about 30-40 years. The length and shell can reach 18-30 centimeters.

The shell of turtles is olive or yellowish-brown in color. In young individuals it may be deep green.

The turtle's head and neck are covered with white and green stripes and spots. But they owe their name to two spots extending from the eye area. They have an orange-red tint.

The red-eared turtle comes from America. Its natural habitat is all of Central America and the northwestern part of South America. The species was also introduced into Israel, South Africa, Guadeloupe and other European countries, where it successfully took root.

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The amphibian lives in small swampy bodies of water: lakes, ponds. Turtles are inactive, but curious. Their favorite pastime is lying in the warm sun.

The red-eared turtle has well-developed vision and sense of smell, but the hearing and vocal cords of this amphibian are poorly developed. The turtle can only hiss or snort when excited and irritated. Possessing strong jaws, the red-eared turtle can seriously injure a person or other pet if it is in danger.

Video: find out the gender

When can it be determined?

Turtles live a long time, so they acquire both young and adult individuals. Determining gender at a young age (before reaching the age of puberty) is almost impossible. Therefore, in order to correctly and reliably determine the sex, it is necessary to wait until the turtle is five to eight years old.

Relationship between age and red spots

The most likely place to purchase a turtle for a home pond is a pet store, where the seller, among other data, must tell you the age of the reptile being purchased.

However, you, as the future owner, also need to navigate this issue, since reptiles of different ages feed differently and require different care, and having at least basic information about the future pet will be very useful.

So, the red-eared turtle is called due to the presence of red spots behind its eyes, which, in general, are in no way connected with the hearing organs.

Over the course of a turtle's life, as it grows, these spots change their color saturation from scarlet to burgundy.

The green carapace of the red-eared reptile with stains and stripes at a younger age becomes darker and duller as it ages.

An important indication of the age of a red-eared turtle can be the size of its carapace. But here it should be taken into account that in comfortable conditions a pet can grow at an accelerated pace, and there are many subspecies of red-eared reptiles, and not all of them have the same shell length/age ratio.

So how can you determine the age of your red-eared pet as reliably as possible?

The most accessible to a non-specialist for determining the age of red-eared reptiles are several methods - by the length of the carapace and the pattern on it, by its color and shape.

Criteria for determining the sex of turtles

In any case, whether the turtle is a boy or a girl, the reptile must please its owners. It's no secret that children in particular are delighted with these adorable reptiles. Still, it is clear that there is no point in having a pet that does not bring pleasure.

veterinarian - the answer will be sent to your email

Additional indicators

If it was not possible to determine the gender of the red-eared turtle based on the main characteristics, then additional parameters will come to the rescue.

• you need to compare the body sizes of turtles;
• compare the shapes of the posterior part of the plastron of both sexes;
• compare the anal openings of individuals;

The first sign for determining belonging states that the female must be larger than the male; this state of affairs is inherent in nature and is necessary for the successful bearing of eggs with future offspring.

looks like the Latin letter "V"

The anus is the last circumstance that will help determine the sex of the turtle. In males, this part of the body is located closer to the pointed end of the tail and has the shape of an oblong line. Females have a cloaca shaped like an asterisk, and it is located closer to the base of the tail.

Caring for a red-eared slider

They, like other predators, feed mainly on protein foods, for example, small worms, bloodworms or crustaceans are suitable for babies. But stronger turtles can eat cockroaches, snails, crickets, and earthworms.

Beef liver, liver or chicken hearts are also suitable. The fish should be cut into small ribbons and scalded with boiling water. Under no circumstances should you give minced meat, sausages, sausage, cheese or bread.

In addition to meat, it is necessary to add lettuce, cabbage or seaweed to the diet to avoid the development of diseases.

At a young age, the red-eared turtle needs to be fed daily; adults feed once every 2-3 days. Turtles are very active during the day, so feeding should be done at the same time.

If it is impossible to install ultraviolet lamps, it is advisable to place the turtle in the sun near a water tank, avoiding direct rays.

Under ideal conditions, the presence of ultraviolet lamps and compliance with the temperature regime, the vitamin complexes included in the feed do not need to be used.

Diseases of aquatic reptiles and preventive measures

If you provide the marsh turtle with decent living conditions, you can avoid any problems with its health. She has strong natural immunity and high vitality. Most turtle illnesses are associated with improper housing conditions or poor care. More often than others, the following diseases and pathologies are detected in freshwater reptiles:

1. A cold is the result of cooling or keeping your pet in a draft. It manifests itself in the form of irregular, difficult breathing, the appearance of mucous discharge from the nasal passages and oral cavity. The turtle begins to wheeze, refuses to eat, and moves little.
2. Rectal prolapse or prolapse of the cloaca (cloacitis) - pathology can occur due to various reasons. Most often it develops against the background of helminthic infestation or prolonged diarrhea. The turtle's cloaca is visible, soil and debris stick to it, and the front limbs may swell.
3. Diarrhea - in most cases, is the result of eating low-quality or stale food.
4. Nematodosis and cestodosis - tapeworms and roundworms enter the reptile's body from food that has not undergone heat treatment.
5. Intestinal obstruction - the main cause is associated with the ingestion of foreign objects - small pebbles, sand, debris. Rarely manifests itself in the form of vomiting, shortness of breath, and neurological disorders.
6. Paralysis of various origins.
7. Violation or delay in egg laying - a turtle can carry its offspring beyond term due to a narrowing of the birth canal, large egg size, lack of a ready-made nest, and other reasons.
8. Infection with ectoparasites - creatures that parasitize the outer surface of the reptile.

In addition, when home furnishings are violated, residents are often injured and their skin is damaged. Often, inexperienced owners of marsh reptiles make a number of mistakes when keeping their pets, which leads to deformation of the armored scutes. More often, this occurs as a result of a deficiency of vitamin components and calcium during the period of active growth and puberty of the individual.

What to feed the red-eared slider

As for young turtles, they need animal food for active vital growth of the body. In this regard, it should be given once a day, but no more. Also, the aquarium should have various algae and any other plants that are edible for turtles.

Adult turtles are individuals that are much larger than 12 centimeters. They must eat food once every two or three days and half of their diet must be some kind of vegetation. The aquaterrarium should contain any edible plants so that the turtles can eat them between meals.

The amount of food given is determined based on the size of the turtle. For kids, the norm is two or three pieces of one cubic centimeter, and for older turtles - two or three pieces several times larger in size.

It is necessary to ensure that the food is at a suitable room temperature and must have a raw consistency.

It is important to remember that young turtles are, first and foremost, predators. Their main food is fish. You can add live fish to the aquarium that they cannot eat.

It is necessary to diversify the diet given and not feed only gammarus and dry food. And adult turtles are omnivores. They eat both animal and plant food

You can add live fish to the aquarium that they cannot eat. It is necessary to diversify the diet given and not feed only gammarus and dry food. And adult turtles are omnivores. They eat both animal and plant food.

Types of feed

As for fish, it is useful for turtles to eat pollock, gobies, cod, blue whiting and any other fish, but not fatty ones. The liver can be beef, or you can also give liver or chicken heart. From insects and crustaceans: non-dry gammarus, earthworms, daphnia crustaceans, legless crickets, beetles. You can diversify the food served to them with the help of small snails, mollusks, squids, frogs, small tadpoles; you should not get carried away with seafood, since any turtle is itself a sea turtle. Aquatic plants are not prohibited from plant food: duckweed, hyacinth and others. In addition, it can be dandelion, daisies and any non-poisonous meadow flowers and plants. It is not advisable to give vegetables other than carrots and lettuce.

It is strictly forbidden to give turtles any meat: any minced meat, sausages, beef, sausage, lamb, chicken, pork, etc. Fatty fish, cheese, fruit and bread are prohibited. It is better to avoid dry food.

If the aquarium is well equipped, has ultraviolet lighting, and appropriate temperature conditions, then vitamins may not be included in the diet. But, in the case when the conditions are far from ideal, it is necessary to remember about the vitamin and mineral base. Vitamins are already included in the food specifically for this purpose.

Why know the gender of a reptile?

When breeding these domesticated reptiles, knowledge of the sex of the individuals is necessary, because if you miss this point, you may not get stable pairs of red eared birds ready to produce offspring. Turtles begin choosing a partner long before they reach sexual maturity. And if you place small individuals of different sexes in a tank, you can subsequently expect the appearance of small turtles.

Another nuance is that male red-eared turtles are quite aggressive towards their fellow turtles and can cause serious injuries to their opponents. The reasons for this behavior are related to their territoriality, and even outside the mating season they are unfriendly. In addition, any pet must have its own name, and so do the red-eared cats. What do you call a reptile without a specific gender?

Exoticism never ceases to attract people and forces them to make incredible decisions - to have snakes, boa constrictors, crocodiles, alligators and other incredible, and sometimes dangerous, living creatures. Among similar inhabitants, the red-eared turtle looks more than modest, and it may seem that it is very unpretentious and tenacious. But redfish are still reptiles with all the ensuing consequences.

The owner needs to provide the pet with suitable conditions and become familiar with the breed characteristics before purchasing. Otherwise, it will be difficult to understand what this turtle likes and dislikes, and whether it is a boy or a girl.

Usually, a person’s character influences the choice of his friends, including pets. If one likes a restless one, then the other likes silent fish in an aquarium, or a turtle. When choosing a red-eared turtle as a friend, you need to be aware that your friendship can last for decades. And throughout this entire period, her life will depend on you.

Before purchasing this amphibian, it is a good idea to educate yourself on the question of how to determine the age of turtles. After all, the advanced age of a pet affects its behavior, and it also has other requirements for food and living conditions.

Determining the age of a turtle

They are distinguished from other relatives by red spots instead of ears. There are several ways to determine the age of such turtles. Each one is based on the marks that passing years leave on their body. However, none of them can be said to be accurate. After all, the appearance depends on factors such as the number of inhabitants in the aquarium, temperature and nutrition. For this reason, deviations from the truth of several years are possible.

You can try to determine the age of a turtle by its shell (carapace). The technique of the method is reminiscent of determining the age of a tree by cutting the trunk. Every year it leaves behind two or three rings on the scutellum. Before celebrating his first birthday, the turtle already has one ring. After two years of life, it begins to slow down its growth and, accordingly, in the future, only one ring will grow.

A method such as measuring the length of the shell will help us determine the age of the red-eared slider.

The size of a newborn turtle is about 3 cm. Over the course of a year, its body increases to 6 cm. At the age of two years, the size of the female becomes 9 cm and the male - 8 cm. In three years, the female grows to 14 cm, the male - to 10 cm. Up to six years they add 2 cm per year. And at this age the numbers are already 20 cm for females and 17 cm for males.

The turning point begins when the length reaches 18 cm. Reptiles practically stop growing, although there are exceptions. Under ideal living conditions, red-eared turtles reach 30 cm.

If you compare the appearance of a young turtle and an older one, you will notice several differences. This method also helps answer the question of how to find out the age of a red-eared slider.

Over the years, the rings on the shell darken and at an advanced age they become almost black, and the shell itself becomes smooth and more elongated. In mature turtles, the spot near the eyes is dark burgundy instead of red. And their behavior is calmer than that of young people. In the form of a turtle, you acquire an intelligent, sensitive and unpretentious creature.

Differences between a male and a female

Size. This method is only suitable if there are 2 turtles of the same age, for example from the same offspring. Gender can be determined by their size. The female will be larger than the male. This is due to the fact that the female needs to bear and lay eggs. Shell. To determine sex by the shape of the shell, the turtle must be turned belly up. In males, the lower part is long and elongated, shaped like a V at the tail. The plastron (the abdominal shield of the shell) will be slightly concave. This shape helps the males stay on the female’s shell at the time of fertilization. Females have a wide plastron with a smooth surface. Claws. The male's claws are long and sharp. He needs this feature in order to stay on the female’s shell at the time of fertilization. But it is worth considering the conditions of keeping turtles. It is necessary to install an island in the terrarium where turtles can crawl out and bask under the lamp.

You need to pay attention to the material from which the dry land is made, as turtles quickly wear down their claws on it. Females will have blunt and short claws, since they don’t need such a length.

Males will also have more pronounced femoral spurs on their paws and will have small scales on their hind paws. Red stripe on the head. The red-eared turtle has a red stripe on its head. In males it is much brighter and clearer than in females. Tail. The tail can be used to determine sex even if there is no second individual for comparison. In males, the tail is long and wide, since it houses the genital organ. In females, the tail is short and even, without thickening at the base. Hole. The female has a hole in the tail area through which she lays eggs. Accordingly, males do not have such a hole. Cloaca. The older the turtle, the more accurately the sex can be determined by the location of the cloaca. In females, the cloaca is located close to the shell, almost at the very base, and has the shape of an asterisk. In males, the cloaca is located at a considerable distance from the shell, almost at the edge of the tail, and looks like a transverse line. The older the turtle, the longer the tail on which the cloaca is located, and accordingly, the more accurate the result will be. Muzzle. The most inaccurate way to determine sex, which you shouldn’t rely too much on, since all turtles are individual and have their own characteristics. It should only be taken into account in conjunction with other characteristics. Males have a muzzle that is more elongated and pointed at the end; females have a wide, rounded muzzle. Mating season. Red-eared turtles live on average 20-25 years at home. Males become sexually mature at the age of 4-5 years, and females are ready to breed somewhat later, at the age of 5-6 years. During the mating season, gender can be determined most accurately. The behavior of males and females is significantly different. The activity of males increases significantly, they begin to attract females to mate. Males chase females, waving their paws with long claws, nod their heads in a funny way, and may lightly bite the female on the neck. Behavior. To determine the sex of a turtle by its behavior at normal times, you need to observe it for several days in a calm environment. Males are somewhat more active. They often swim and often crawl onto land to bask. Females sit on land for a long time or swim for a long time. Males also behave more aggressively and can bite. Females bite only in exceptional cases.

To most accurately determine the sex of a red-eared turtle, you need to wait until it becomes sexually mature. Then the differences between the male and the female will be clearly expressed. If the turtle is less than 5 years old, and there are plans to breed turtles in the future, then it is better to seek the help of a specialist.

If the sex is determined incorrectly, and therefore the pair is incorrectly selected, the owner will have to support two same-sex individuals. And if the females are more relaxed about the second individual in the terrarium, then the two males will share the territory and may injure each other.

It doesn’t matter what gender or age the red-eared turtle will be. The main thing is to provide the turtle with comfortable living conditions and prepare the correct diet.

Only in this case will the red-eared turtle be active and healthy, and live as long as possible.

Determination of gender

Having bought a funny turtle, many owners think about breeding offspring, and, as a rule, about acquiring a sexual partner for their pet. However, before getting a second animal, you must accurately determine the sex of the red-eared slider, and this is not an easy question.

The easiest way to find out the gender of a pet is at 6–8 years of age, when the turtle shows characteristic signs. However, if you carefully analyze the behavior and appearance, you can determine the sex of the turtle at one or two years.

Red-eared slider - how to determine gender:

• by claw size;
• by shell;
• along the tail and cloaca;
• having studied the characteristics of behavior.

The first way to determine sex is to compare the length and shape of the claws of male and female individuals. Male turtles have claws that are irregularly shaped and long, while female turtles have short claws with a rounded edge. When examining the fingers of your pets, you should take into account that turtles living in captivity have their claws ground down on the ground, so this method is not infallible.

The second method of determination is to examine the shell. To facilitate mating, nature created a more extended and elongated shell shape in boys; the female sex has a more rounded and wider shell.

The most common way to distinguish the sex of a red-eared turtle is to study the tail and cloaca. Having carefully examined the back of the pet, a conclusion is made based on the following statements:

• the male's tail is longer, thick at the base and tapering towards the end;
• girls have a round, short ponytail without narrowing or widening;
• The female's cloaca looks like an asterisk and is located closer to the shell;
• The cloaca of the male individual looks like a line, and is removed from the shell.

Sex determination is also carried out by comparing the sizes of two adult turtles of different sexes. It is important that the turtles are the same age, so in this case you need to know how to determine the age of a red-eared slider. Females are larger and more massive than males, since they bear offspring and lay eggs in the future. Clearly expressed signs of gender differences appear during the mating season - male turtles become more active, behave agilely and try in every possible way to attract the attention of their partner, and female turtles calmly evaluate the behavior of the male.

What you need to know before purchasing

The aquatic turtle needs not only water, but also land. The terrarium should be warm. Caring for an animal at home is not difficult; you just need to follow simple rules. It is better for a beginner to purchase a yellow-bellied breed. In winter, the reptile does not hibernate. Most of the time the reptile is in the water, so you need to take good care that the water is clean and at the required temperature. What you need to know before purchasing:

1. Turtles are active animals and sometimes show aggression.
2. When you buy a small turtle, its diameter is no more than 2 cm. But it must be taken into account that over time its size will reach more than a human palm, so the aquarium for the animal must be the right size.

In captivity, the red-eared turtle lives for more than 30 years, so it will require careful and serious care. Before buying, you need to think about whether the animal is really necessary.

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Characteristics

The red-eared slider's distinctive feature is the red stripe located on its neck. If the turtle is young, then it is bright in color. The shell is round and smooth, its color is black with yellow and green streaks. The older the animal, the darker the shell. Shell length value:

1. It is not an indicator of age, because at home, with good care, the turtle quickly reaches large sizes.
2. In nature, the size of the shell depends on the circumstances of living, health and care.

A young turtle has a bright stripe on its neck

The water temperature in the terrarium should be maintained depending on the age of the animal and the time of year. In summer and autumn, the temperature of the liquid should be as warm as possible. If the turtle is young, then the water should always be at the optimal temperature.

When a turtle is small, nutrition is especially important for it. The diet should consist of plant foods. When the size of the reptile reaches 10 cm, you need to gradually add animal food. Closer to old age, only plant foods should remain on the menu.

The diet of small turtles should be plant-based

Size Measurement

When the turtle is small, the size of the aquatic reptile is determined using a ruler. To determine the length, you need to measure the shell, but this does not take into account its irregularities. When a turtle is just born, it reaches 3 cm in length. In the middle of its life cycle, its size is 22 cm. Life expectancy and maximum size depend on the quality of living. The better a reptile is cared for, the larger the size it will reach. Lifespan:

1. All turtles live differently, but with good care at home, their age reaches 30 years.
2. In the wild, turtles typically do not live to be 20 years old.
3. Domestic turtles are usually larger than wild turtles.
4. What size a turtle will reach and how many years it will live depends on the quality of care and efforts of the owner.

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Aquatic Reptile Care

The water turtle is an aggressive animal that does not have a friendly nature. And if you keep two turtles in one terrarium, then most likely they will not get along together. Constant fights will arise between them, this behavior is especially noticeable in adulthood. Experts recommend keeping turtles separate from each other. If it is not possible to place two aquariums next to each other, then place a transparent partition in one container so that the animals cannot harm each other during a fight. How to properly breed reptiles:

1. Turtles of approximately the same age should be kept in one terrarium.
2. Their size should also be the same.
3. If there are several reptiles in one aquarium, then there should be only one male among them.

If you add a snake, toad, lizard or frog to a reptile, the turtle will perceive them as food.

Determination of gender

If the reptile is young, then it is very difficult to determine its gender. Sexual maturity occurs 8 or 9 years after birth. It is at this age that one can say with accuracy what gender the reptile is. Typically, experts distinguish between a male and a female by external characteristics; they are present in every representative of reptiles. Special differences by gender:

1. According to the color of the shell.
2. By its size.
3. By the shade of the bridge of the nose.
4. According to the location of the flesh.
5. By size and type of tail.
6. On the head.

If you consider all the signs in detail, it will not be difficult to determine the sex of the animal.

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Claw length

On the hind limbs they are short, but in the male they are sharper and longer. Boys need long claws to anchor themselves to the female's shell during mating. But this method of determining sex is unreliable, because the claws of young reptiles are not fully formed. And an adult animal can grind them off on hard soil. Males have protrusions on their paws, and small scales can be found on their hind limbs. You can determine the sex of a turtle by the lower abdominal part of its shell. For boys it is concave, and for girls it is straight. Differences in shell:

1. In males it is long, forming a V in the back near the tail.
2. And in females it is rounded and larger.
3. The shell is adapted for bearing offspring. Females have special holes at the end of the “house” that are needed for laying eggs.

Read more: How red-eared turtles mate.

The shell of females is more straight

You can tell the gender of a red-eared slider by its size. As a rule, males are smaller than females. There are some exceptions. Another difference is the color of the plastron, that is, the lower part of the shell. For boys it is blue. The cloaca and tail are the most reliable way to distinguish the sex of a turtle .

1. In females, the outgrowth in the back of the body is more elongated, and the tip and base are wide.
2. The female's cloaca is located closer to the beginning of the tail and somewhat resembles an asterisk.
3. The anus is wide so that eggs can be laid.
4. The cloaca in the male is similar to a longitudinal line; it is located behind, closer to the end of the process.

Character differences

Females usually have a calmer disposition, they are less active and friendly. And males are more aggressive. When the breeding season begins, males attract the attention of females by biting their necks and nodding. Male behavior in mating games:

1. They may squeak to attract females.
2. Some females make sounds during mating.

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How does the reproductive system of red-eared turtles work?

How to determine the gender of a hamster yourself, at home

The reproductive system of these reptiles develops quite slowly and takes shape over several years. In freshwater turtles, it includes the testes, epididymis, copulatory organ and vas deferens.

The reproductive system of reptiles is located in the middle part of the body and connects to the kidneys. Before the onset of puberty, it is in its infancy. Over time, the genitals increase in size and take on a normal shape.

The male reproductive system includes four phases:

• regenerative;
• progressive;
• savings;
• regression.

The first three phases are characterized by an increase in the size of the testes. During this period, sperm is transported to the reproductive organ. The male genital organ increases in size. At the moment of excitement, it “grows” by 50% and even protrudes beyond the cloaca.

A pair of red-eared turtles

The reproductive system of females is distinguished by the presence of ovaries, shell glands and oviducts. The ovaries are in “sleep mode” until puberty. However, organs grow and develop at the same time as the reptile.

Interesting! These animals have no uterus.

The oviducts, as a rule, increase significantly in size during the breeding season. They include the infundibulum, fallopian tubes, isthmus, uterus and vagina. These bodies are necessary to carry out the following functions:

• preservation of seminal fluid;
• crossing;
• formation of embryo shell;
• promotion of formed eggs.