The Tortoise Table

Male or female or just young hormones? Shelly (female) who is about 1 year I found at it with Skippy (female) who is about 1 year. After a couple of quiet days, today they are running around like spring chickens. We caught them truly doing the deed. Is Shelly a Shell He or could it just be young hormones playing up ?

Hi Phil.
It’s just a hierarchy/ dominance thing. They will be fine until we know for definite what the sex is.

Lin

Hi Phil,

I agree with Lin about it being a dominance thing. My Dolly (who is definitely female) constantly mounts Doris (another female), and there is also lots of head bobbing from Dolly when they sat together. Did you actually see a male organ when they were at it? Lol, you can't miss a male tortoise's penis as it is quite extraordinary. I can give you a link to a video of a male tortoise trying to mate with a rubber ball if you're interested (and not faint hearted).

Nina

Thanks both of you