For smaller Sulcata tortoises, it is generally determined by the shape of the two pieces of nails near the anus at the rear of the plastron. If the outer tips of the two pieces of nails are buckled inward, they are generally female Sulcata tortoises are male if the outer tip is slanted outwards, showing an eight shape. This method is suitable for tortoises with a plastron of about 10 cm or more.

For turtles with a plastron over 25 cm, you can also see the abdomen Whether the nails have depressions, the depressed ones are male, and the smooth ones are female.

The sexual maturity of Sulcata tortoises is generally more than 20 years old, males mature earlier than females, and adult females are larger than males, generally about 1/3 in size.