File talk:Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied) (1865) by Karl Bodmer.jpg

Hello, I have two red slider turtles both about a year old, how can I tell which one is female and which one is male. The one is larger and has a thick tail and somewhat larger claws, the other is alittle smaller and its tail is not so thick near the buttucks. I would love to breed them but dont know what I should be doing? I did put a covered area with some vermiculite in it is that all I should be doing, they have a very nice tank with waterfall and rocks to base themselves in the heatlight I have provided. Any suggestions? Thank you Deborah