How to Tell the Sex of Your Lizard

How to Tell the Sex of Your Lizard. Lizards' reproductive organs are inside their bodies, making it difficult to tell if you have a male or female with just a glance. However, each species of lizard has some telltale characteristics if you know what you are looking for. If you are still unsure after inspecting your lizard, ask a reptile veterinarian to do a probe test. In this test, a probe is inserted in the lizard's vent. The probe goes farther into a male lizard than a female lizard. Do not perform the probe test yourself.

Chinese Water Dragon

Step 1

Set the lizard on a flat, open surface. Look at the lizard's head first. If the head has grown significantly in size since the lizard was a juvenile and has taken on a triangular shape, it is male. A female's head is smaller and rounder.

Step 2

Look at the spikes running down the lizard's back. Male water dragons have longer spikes than females. Males also have bony bumps underneath their spikes.

Step 3

Turn the lizard upside down. You'll see pores on the back legs. A male's pores are larger, darker and bumpier than a female's pores. The body takes on a triangular shape if the lizard is a male, with the base of the tail thinning out. A female maintains a rounded shape.

Geckos

Step 1

Ask the breeder at what temperature the eggs were incubated. Temperatures between 79 and 84 degrees F generally breed females whereas temperatures between 86 and 90 produce males. A temperature of 85 degrees F produces either sex. If you do not know the breed, wait at least six months for the gecko to mature.

Step 2

Observe the shape of the gecko's head. Male geckos have a squarish head. Female geckos' heads are narrower.

Step 3

Turn the gecko upside down. Locate the pores on the back legs. Males' pores are very noticeable and will form a "V" shape from leg to leg. A female's pores are hard to see or invisible.

Bearded Dragon

Step 1

Hold the bearded dragon upside down with his tail facing you.

Step 2

Look for a small bulge above the lizard's vent. This indicates the absence of hemipenal bulges, indicating the lizard is a female.

Step 3

Look for two bulges on either side of the bearded dragon's belly if you find no bulge over the vent. These hemipenal bulges are slightly above the vent and create a small dip above the vent. This lizard is male.

Warnings

• A Chinese water dragon should be 18 months old and a bearded dragon should be 6 months old before being sexed. All juvenile lizards exhibit female characteristics.

References

• Tricia's Chinese Water Dragon, Reptile and Amphibian Care Page: Sexing Your Chinese Water Dragon
• Glades Herp; Bearded Dragon Care & Breeding; Terry McGleish
• Reptilecare.com: Leopard Gecko FAQ