Hermann's tortoises are hard to tell when they are hatchlings, until they are a little bigger.

Under normal circumstances, according to the western hawksbill Hermann's tortoise The tortoise's tail and tail shield are distinguished by the size of the angle. Usually the tail of the female turtle is shorter and smaller, while the tail of the male turtle is longer and thicker; the opening and closing angle of the tail shield of the female turtle is smaller, and the tail of the male turtle is far beyond the position of the tail shield, so the opening and closing angle of the tail shield bigger.

In adulthood, males are smaller than females.