How to Determine the Sex of a Green Anole
Determine the length of your anole., Look for a stripe., Check the throat., Check the tail., Look for aggressive behavior., Watch for courtship behavior., Catch them in the act.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Determine the length of your anole.
Female anoles are generally smaller than males.
Adult females (12 months old and up) usually measure around five inches long, while males can grow to be up to eight inches long.
Both larger females and smaller males are possible, however, so you will need more information to you’re your determination., Adult female anoles often have a white stripe running down the middle of the back.
Not all females have the stripe, and juveniles of both sexes can have a stripe that eventually fades, so you will need to look for other signs to be certain of the sex of your lizard., Male anoles have a pink or red dewlap, or flap of skin hanging in an arc from the neck region, which they can inflate during courtship and aggression displays.
Of course, some female anoles also have this dewlap, although it is often lighter in color.While most anoles with a prominent dewlap are males, remember that this is still not a 100% guarantee that your anole is male.
Many people find it surprising that female anoles can also use their dewlaps in displays of aggression or during mating, just as males do., Carefully pick up your anole and look underneath its tale.
Male anoles develop 2 larger scales, called postanal scales, at the base of the tail.
This is one trait that female anoles never mimic, so if you spot these scales, you can be certain that your anole is a male.
Spotting the postanal scales on a young lizard can be difficult.
You may need to wait until the anole is fully mature at around 12 months to know for sure. , Male anoles will often fight each other, especially if there is a female around to fight over.
When male anoles fight, they display their dewlaps and open their mouths, bob their heads, and eventually lunge at one another.
If they are extremely agitated, black spots will form behind their eyes.The anoles will then bite and wrestle, and can fight until one submits.
If your anoles begin fighting like this, you will likely need to separate them to prevent serious injury.Female anoles will occasionally fight one another, especially if they are overcrowded, but it is less common and generally less intense., If conditions are right in the anoles' habitat, they will breed in captivity between April and September.
If a female is present, male anoles will often make courtship displays that include bobbing their heads rapidly up and down and flaring their dewlaps.
Males will also aggressively charge females and try to catch them by the scruff of the neck.
Courtship and aggression displays begin in a similar fashion, but usually end very differently.
If you see this kind of behavior in your anoles, observe them closely to see which is happening.
If they are fighting, you will likely need to separate them. , Catching your anoles in the act of mating is a pretty decisive way to determine the sex of your lizards.
Should you spot them twined together mating, the one on top is the male, and the one on the bottom is the female.Observing an anole lay an egg is also a clear sign that your lizard is a female! -
Step 2: Look for a stripe.
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Step 3: Check the throat.
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Step 4: Check the tail.
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Step 5: Look for aggressive behavior.
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Step 6: Watch for courtship behavior.
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Step 7: Catch them in the act.
Detailed Guide
Female anoles are generally smaller than males.
Adult females (12 months old and up) usually measure around five inches long, while males can grow to be up to eight inches long.
Both larger females and smaller males are possible, however, so you will need more information to you’re your determination., Adult female anoles often have a white stripe running down the middle of the back.
Not all females have the stripe, and juveniles of both sexes can have a stripe that eventually fades, so you will need to look for other signs to be certain of the sex of your lizard., Male anoles have a pink or red dewlap, or flap of skin hanging in an arc from the neck region, which they can inflate during courtship and aggression displays.
Of course, some female anoles also have this dewlap, although it is often lighter in color.While most anoles with a prominent dewlap are males, remember that this is still not a 100% guarantee that your anole is male.
Many people find it surprising that female anoles can also use their dewlaps in displays of aggression or during mating, just as males do., Carefully pick up your anole and look underneath its tale.
Male anoles develop 2 larger scales, called postanal scales, at the base of the tail.
This is one trait that female anoles never mimic, so if you spot these scales, you can be certain that your anole is a male.
Spotting the postanal scales on a young lizard can be difficult.
You may need to wait until the anole is fully mature at around 12 months to know for sure. , Male anoles will often fight each other, especially if there is a female around to fight over.
When male anoles fight, they display their dewlaps and open their mouths, bob their heads, and eventually lunge at one another.
If they are extremely agitated, black spots will form behind their eyes.The anoles will then bite and wrestle, and can fight until one submits.
If your anoles begin fighting like this, you will likely need to separate them to prevent serious injury.Female anoles will occasionally fight one another, especially if they are overcrowded, but it is less common and generally less intense., If conditions are right in the anoles' habitat, they will breed in captivity between April and September.
If a female is present, male anoles will often make courtship displays that include bobbing their heads rapidly up and down and flaring their dewlaps.
Males will also aggressively charge females and try to catch them by the scruff of the neck.
Courtship and aggression displays begin in a similar fashion, but usually end very differently.
If you see this kind of behavior in your anoles, observe them closely to see which is happening.
If they are fighting, you will likely need to separate them. , Catching your anoles in the act of mating is a pretty decisive way to determine the sex of your lizards.
Should you spot them twined together mating, the one on top is the male, and the one on the bottom is the female.Observing an anole lay an egg is also a clear sign that your lizard is a female!
About the Author
Jason Cooper
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in creative arts and beyond.
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