I just bought me a african spur thigh tortise? how can i tell if it is a male or a female? and other good info

Answer 1

Its not easy to determine visually in a young tortoise, but at about 10" to 14" (usually 3-4 years) a Sulcata starts to show some signs of its sex. Typically at this size it is another 5" to 8" (2-4 years) away from breeding age. What is the difference?
Male Sulcatas have a wider flattened anal notch, a longer tail that is usually folded to the side, noticeable concavity to its plastron (bottom shell), and gular projections under the head that are bigger, thicker, and more flared than those of a female. Males usually mature at 15" to 16" which is usually
around 5-6 years of healthy growth in captivity.
Female Sulcatas anal notch is rounded allowing for easier passage of eggs, they have shorter tails, the plastron is flat or somewhat convex, the gular projections are small, thin, and less flared then that of a male. Female Sulcatas
usually mature at 17"-18" which is usually indicative of 7 to 8 years of healthy growth in captivity.
Males exhibit aggression during mating season which is both common and occasionally violent. As males mature they begin to ram, flip, and mount other males to establish dominance. During the breeding time, overly aggressive males will attack other tortoises, pets, and even people, ramming them with their gular projections with incredible force. They also use these flared gulars to flip their opponent. Male Sulcatas also tend to ram females when it comes time to mate. This encourages the female to submit and also starts the ovulation process. During copulation, the male will usually raise and lower himself, scraping the females carapace (top shell). There is usually some tail stimulation and vocalization during mating that sounds like a loud quacking. In the wild females tend to lay one clutch per year, while in captivity have been known to lay multiple clutches.

Care sheets:


http://africantortoise.com/
http://www.turtlehomes.org/usa/sulcatacaresheet.shtml
http://www.repticzone.com/caresheets/450.html