How to Know a Water Turtle's Gender
Unlike mammals and birds, male and female reptiles do not display obvious gender variations, and there are often few external characteristics that clearly distinguish males and females from one another. Luckily with water turtles, determining the difference between the sexes (a process called sexing) is easier than it is with other reptiles. As with all animals, there are individual differences, and not all turtle sexing techniques are accurate for every water turtle.
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Instructions
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1
Examine the claws of your turtles. Male water turtles generally have very long claws to help them hold on to females during mating. Females, on the other hand, have shorter claws.
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2
Note the turtle's plastrons. The plastron is the bottom part of the turtle's shell that protects its underside. In males the plastron will be flat or concave (curving upward) to allow them to fit better on the female during mating. Females have a flat or convex plastron, which allows for more room in their abdomen when they begin to carry eggs.
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3
Determine the location of the cloaca, or vent. In males the cloaca is farther from the shell (about 2/3 of an inch away) and closer to the tip of the tail. In females the cloaca is closer to the shell.
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Observe the size of the tail. Males tend to have thicker and generally larger tails than females.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are certain that your water turtles are the same age, you can also compare their size. Males in general are smaller than females.
Always exercise care when handling turtles, and always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling.
