How to Tell a Boy Turtle Apart From a Girl Turtle

Turtles are one of the most ancient species still in existence. Scientists have discovered turtle fossils dating back more than 215 million years, with modern turtles very similar in appearance to their ancient relatives. Smaller species of turtles are often kept as pets, since they are fairly simple to handle and care for. Sexing turtles can be a bit of a challenge and should only be done under the guidance of an experienced turtle handler.

Things You'll Need

  • Gloves
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wait until your turtle is at least 12 months old to attempt sexing it. Most species of turtle do not display sexual characteristics until they reach sexual maturity, so sexing your turtle before maturity may provide inaccurate results.

    • 2

      Put your gloves on before handling your turtle. Most species kept as pets are fairly docile, but you still want to protect yourself from any unwanted bites or scratches. Leather work gloves provide adequate protection as they are thin enough to allow you to handle your turtle but thick enough to prevent injuries in case of a bite.

    • 3

      Set your turtle on a flat surface such as a table or workbench and look at the shell. In many species of turtles, the shell of the male is flatter across the top while the shell of the female is more rounded and dome-shaped.

    • 4

      Hold the foot of your turtle gently in one hand and look at the nails. Female turtles tend to have short, blunt nails while male turtles have longer, sharper nails. Males use their longer nails to defend their territory against other turtles and to hold onto the shells of females during mating.

    • 5

      Turn your turtle over on its back and pull the tail away from the body. Look for the vent opening on the underside of the tail and note the location in reference to the body. In female turtles, the tail is shorter and the vent is located closer to the body. The tail of male turtles is much longer and the vent farther from the body to allow him to wrap his tail under the females during mating.