western painted turtles how do you tell male and female apart

Question
how do you tell if western painted turtles are male or female

Answer
Hello Tristan, once your turtle is at least four inches long you will be able to tell the difference, before that length they are just to young to tell. Males will have long front claws, longer tail, and a concave bottom shell. Females bottom shell will be flat with no curving. Their front claws are short and the same length as their back claws. The females tail is also shorter.

Probably the most definate way to tell the difference is the male's cloaca (anal opening) is located further towards the tip of the tail. While the female's cloaca is closer to her body then her tail tip.

Good luck
Yexalen