You can't do genetic sex identification in tortoises as they do not have chromosomal sex determination but temperature-dependent sex determination. Parenthood determination may be performed by genetic laboratories.

In any case we've published a cystoscopic way to identify sex in hatchling tortoises.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23725439

Thank you.

Have a look at these:

Cutuli, Giulia, et al. "Influence of mating order on courtship displays and stored sperm utilization in Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni hermanni)." Behavioral ecology and sociobiology 67.2 (2013): 273-281.

Cutuli, Giulia, et al. "Influence of male courtship intensity and male–male competition on paternity distribution in Hermann's tortoise, Testudo hermanni hermanni (Chelonia: Testudinidae)." Biological journal of the Linnean Society111.3 (2014): 656-667.

Paride

thank you.

Can you determine hormone levels (testosterone vs. estradiol) and use that as the basis of their "sex"?