Mary The Tortoise Becomes Terry The Tortoise

L

Loghead

New Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2009
Messages
3,653
Reaction score
0
CLEVELAND - Zookeepers in Cleveland are the ones feeling slow because after more than 50 years, the tortoise they called "Mary" is actually a male.

Officials at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo say it can be tough to establish the sex of a giant Aldabra tortoise because the reproductive organs normally aren't visible. But Mary's maleness was unexpectedly revealed earlier this month during a routine exam.

Spokesman Tom O'Konowitz said Wednesday that the zoo has decided to rename the tortoise Terry.

When the 400-pound (180-kilogram) reptile arrived at the zoo in 1955, it was assumed he was a she because of a flatter shell, shorter tail and all-around smaller size than most males.

The tortoise is estimated to be between 75 and 100 years old.
Click to expand...

After 50 years of mistaken identity, Cleveland zoo discovers Mary the tortoise is male
 
After so many years as a female , it may be hard for the tortoise to adjust.
 
Not uncommon to mis-sex them.

I know a guy thought his tortoise was a male.... when it just turned out to be a female with an unusually large tail. I think what happened here is the tortoise in the news article decided to show off his... male stuff.
 
this gose hand in hand with the recent polar bear sex mistake , on some animals you cant tell just buy it's size and shape you actually have to see the reproductive parts , and on reptiles that is a lot harder to do.
 
Back
Top