Sexing Your Leopard Gecko........

Diablo · #1 (**permalink**) 25-09-08, 01:00 AM

This is here to help those out that need it.

A male Leopard Gecko

Here's a snapshot of the relevant parts of a mature male Leopard Gecko. Notice the well developed row of pre-anal pores, hi-lighted here in blue. Under magnification, these pores can be seen as open holes, often capped with a waxy build-up. Sexually mature specimens will exude a waxy substance from these pores which is smeared about the cage. This is a form of scent marking. Many beginners think their gecko is being cute 'wagging his butt all over the cage'. In reality, he is staking out his territory. Do NOT put another male in with a mature male. They will fight violently, often to the death.

The real giveaway in males is the presence of the two enlarged 'hemipene bulges' at the base of the tail, hi-lighted here in red. If these are evident on your gecko, it is without doubt a male. Juveniles of both sexes will often show a bulge in this area, but it is not neatly divided in two as shown here.

A female Leopard Gecko

Here's a snapshot of the important parts of a mature female Leopard Gecko. Many females will show poorly developed pits in the same location as the pre-anal pores of the male, or sometimes an enlarged row of scales, hi-lighted here in blue. Under magnification, these can be seen to be simple dents or pits in the scales, not true hollow pores, and they'll never have the waxy substance found on males. Many beginners mistake these for the pores of males. Many females also have very slight bulges in the same location as the 'hemipene bulges' as the male, hi-lighted here in red. However, they are never anywhere near as well-defined as those of a male.

It can be very difficult to accurately sex juveniles, ranging from impossible at birth to more and more educated guesses as they grow. Usually, the males will show with absolute certainty at around four months of age (if growing well). Note that this can vary a bit, and a specimen should not be considered female with certainty until about six to eight months of age, when any hope of it's being male can be ruled out safely. To sum up: if a young gecko is obviously male then OK, but if it's not obvious it could be either a female or a male waiting to finish developing. Years of experience sexing hundreds of juveniles each year is a definite plus....

With thanks to VMSherps for the information and photos provided.

paddy · #2 (**permalink**) 28-09-08, 01:48 PM

thanks very helpfull

Eunectes-Murinus · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-08, 08:24 PM

good post

trese · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-08, 08:37 PM

great job diablo

tuppence03 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-10-08, 10:59 PM

yeh, very useful post

Paul1988 · #6 (**permalink**) 31-01-09, 03:08 PM

Good post !

reptile09 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-02-09, 04:32 PM

thank you for the info you have put up you help alot

Diablo · #8 (**permalink**) 13-03-09, 10:19 AM

not a problem peeps i know im outta the reptile game but im always here to advise

lizardmike · #9 (**permalink**) 24-11-09, 06:25 PM

Hi guys

I've just found Repti Lisious on google through their / your page on this website Repti Lisious - Pet & Reptile Specialists in Wirral is this their forum, I've just tried calling but no answer?

Can you please tell me your opening hours cause it didnt say on the page i found + i work funny hours and really need a new a new tank for my leopard Gecko.

thanks

mike

ViRMiN · #10 (**permalink**) 24-11-09, 06:35 PM

Hi Mike, no we're not affiliated with the Repti-Lisious shop on the Wirral, completely separate. AFAIK, they only started up last year?

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