Sex of lizards

[pjm007]

How can you tell the difference between male and female lizards ?

Thanks in advance.

[Fern57]

It depends on the species of lizard. Sometimes it's colouration, or it could be the shape of the head, body etc. Sometimes the two sexes look so similar that only a vet who can 'probe' will be able to tell you. What lizards in particular?

[pjm007]

One is a Bearded Dragon, the other is a plated lizard.

[Fern57]

Bearded Dragons. Have a look here:
http://www.dachiu.com/sexing.html

If the other one is an African Plated Lizard, hold it by holding around the front arms and at the very base of the tail. turn the lizard over and at the base of the tail you�ll find a "vent" its a slit in the scales. if there are two horned spikes/spears on either side, you have a male. If its smooth and no trace of anything, it's female.

If it's a Sudan Plated Lizard, The male has more colourful side stripes such as red and orange. The females side stripes are mainly yellow and brown.

Did that help?

[pjm007]

Thanks Fern, I will certainly be checking that out. You seem to know alot about lizards, do you have any yourself ?
I was given mine the other day from someone that no longer wanted them, I have done alot of research in how to care for them, i.e habitat, feeding, etc.
They have been together for about a year now in a 3 foot vivarium (when I can afford it I will buy a bigger one)
I hope I have the set up ok, I have a washed playsand substrate, heat pad under one side of the viv, UVB light, water dish, veggie dish and two pieces of driftwood for basking (both have access underneath for hiding)
I am feeding them brown crickets aswell as apple, tomato, courgette, banana, carrot and lettuce.
The bearded dragon (Del-boy) is the greedy one and likes attention, he/she wants to get out and walk around, also likes to be handled/stroked.
Anymore advice would be gratfully appreciated, as I am a beginner, but I want to make sure that they are well cared for. Thanks again.

[Fern57]

Yeah, I've had a Sudan Plated and a Brardie. Lovely creatures. I also bred snakes a few years ago, Californian Kingsnakes. The father was Albino, so they were all heterozygous for albinism.
At the same time I was breeding Salmon Pinks (Tarantulas). I must have been crazy.
A good friend had the lizards - he was looking to breed from them because I was never going to have time to do that too.
There are a lot of sites on the net with care sheets and information on your new friends.
I would also recommend joing a local Reptile Club. The other members would probably be able to advise you on any issues you might have.
Good luck with them (o: