Health

Upload pictures of your tortoises that originate from the African continent in this forum and tell us a little about them. Examples include Sulcata, Leopard, Pancake, Padopler, Hinged tortoises. Also, do add pictures of African species that you have seen in the wild.
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helenlohel@msn.com
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Joined: 02 Nov 2020, 13:23

Health

Post by helenlohel@msn.com » 02 Nov 2020, 13:40

Hi, I have just taken my Sulcata tortoise out of her bath and noticed a strange part of her body sticking out her rear end. She had pooped as usual. Can any one advise me what this is and is it a problem? Sorry pic isn't very clear. [attachment=0]IMG_20201102_131937.jpg[/attachment]
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lin
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Re: Health

Post by lin » 02 Nov 2020, 14:00

No, not a problem at all. As long as it go back to normal soon, he is just letting you know he is a male (or female, they flash too). :lol:

Lin

helenlohel@msn.com
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Re: Health

Post by helenlohel@msn.com » 02 Nov 2020, 14:31

Ooops, I thought there was something major wrong. I think she is female, but now not so sure!

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Nina
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Re: Health

Post by Nina » 02 Nov 2020, 17:00

I couldn't see clearly enough from your photo if this is a male tortoise's penis, which is perfectly normal, and they do 'flash', or whether this is a female tortoise with an intestinal or cloacal prolapse, and that is not normal. As far as I know female tortoises don't 'flash' but can have prolapses, and these can be serious. Lin were you meaning a prolapse when you said about female tortoises flashing?

As I said, I couldn't see clearly what was coming out of your tortoise, but here is an article about a sulcata with a prolapse, with some photos
http://www.chelonia.org/articles/Cloacal_prolapse.htm
and here are some photos of male tortoises' organs (you have to scroll down a bit): https://www.justanswer.com/pet-reptile/ ... -rear.html So maybe those can help you decide which it was.

It probably is just a male, showing off, but If it is a prolapse and hasn't gone in after a short period of time, then you can coat it in ordinary sugar, and that often does the trick (here is an article from The Tortoise Trust on how to treat a prolapse with sugar: https://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/prolapse.htm

How old is your tortoise? If you send us a photo of your tortoise's underside, with the tail clearly showing, we ought to be able to tell you what sex it is.

Best,
Nina

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lin
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Re: Health

Post by lin » 02 Nov 2020, 19:53

Looking at some more photos I am sure you have a female as you thought.

Lin


helenlohel@msn.com wrote:
> Ooops, I thought there was something major wrong. I think she is female,
> but now not so sure!

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Nina
Posts: 2003
Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:22

Re: Health

Post by Nina » 02 Nov 2020, 20:31

And I've done some further checking and females do sometimes flash their clitoris, so Lin was right about females sometimes flashing. Has it gone back in yet?

Nina

helenlohel@msn.com
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Joined: 02 Nov 2020, 13:23

Re: Health

Post by helenlohel@msn.com » 02 Nov 2020, 20:35

Yes it went back in quite quickly. I have tried to post a pic to help confirm the sex, but it is saying the file is too large?

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lin
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Re: Health

Post by lin » 02 Nov 2020, 22:00

You can post it to me or Nina, by sending it to contact@thetortoisetable.org.uk

Lin

helenlohel@msn.com
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Re: Health

Post by helenlohel@msn.com » 04 Nov 2020, 09:37

Thanks, email sent

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lin
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Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:27

Re: Health

Post by lin » 04 Nov 2020, 12:40

Hi Helen.
Although at only two years old I would say its almost impossible to sex a tortoise. So with that in mind I would say its a female but with room to change in a few years time.

Lin

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