Sexing a Bearded Dragon

Trying to work out the sex of your baby bearded dragon can be difficult to do with any certainty at all. Sexing an adult dragon, however, is much easier! Adults have particular characteristic that should give away whether they are male or female.

Some beardie experts simply look at how the dragon's tail 'tapers' from the base to determine the sex. Supposedly, a female's tail will taper more quickly from the base that a male's. As dragons get older, this becomes more obvious. It's not the most reliable method though.

The most accurate way of sexing your bearded dragon must be done with great care and should normally be done only by experienced owners or handlers. Place your dragon on the palm of your hand, facing away from you.

With the other hand, gently and slowly bend the tail above the dragon's body. Again - do this carefully and gently - don't risk damaging your dragon's skin or spine! On the underside of the tail, you should notice one or two slight lumps. Male bearded dragons have a bulge either side of the base of the tail. Female dragons will either have no obvious bulge, or one single bulge in a more central location near the vent.

This method of sexing your bearded dragon is by no means 100% accurate. It should really be used as one indicator in combination with others. For example - male bearded dragons tend to have thicker tails and wider cloacal openings. Males also tend to have larger heads and darker throats.

If you are in any doubt about the sex of your bearded dragon and you aren't an experienced handler - simply ask a beardie expert or your vet for their opinion!

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