If you bought your leopard gecko (Leo) from a breeder, they might have informed you of its gender. If they do not tell you, then it’s hard to differentiate a male leopard gecko from a female one unless you are an expert. But worry not; here in this article, we will discuss how you separate the male Leo from the female one.
You can differentiate between male and female Leo by visualizing them with an expert eye. Usually, male leopard geckos generally have a pointier snout and bigger eyes than females. Examining the vents of your Leos is yet another method that may be used to find the pet’s gender. Males will be pinkish, and females will be blue.
However, always consult with a local reptile breeder if you are still confused about the gender of your Leo. They would be able to tell at a glance what gender your Leo is.
Let’s discuss how to determine a leopard gecko’s gender in detail.
How to Tell a Leopard Gecko’s Gender?
First, you should look at the area around the vent. The female has an aperture for her rear end located in the middle of her body. It will have a small opening that opens and closes when she moves. It is also bigger than the male’s opening, which is more like a hole.
Examining their tails is the next thing you need to do. Male Leos have longer tails than females and only have one row of scales on each side of their tails.
Females are similar to males in that they have one row of scales on either side of their tail, but the females’ scales are far smaller than the males’.
Finally, if you want to determine if the gecko you have is male or female, you should examine the gecko’s eyes. Only females have two rows of eyelids; thus, they must be male.
Sexing Leopard Geckos
If you cannot contact the breeder to get an answer to the issue of whether or not you have a male or female Leo, you will need to find other techniques to determine the gender of your pet.
The following characteristics distinguish male leopard geckos from female leopard geckos and can help you recognize the difference between the two.
Femoral Pores
These pores may be seen on the gecko’s hind legs and look like a series of very minute white spots. Although both males and females have them, males seem to have a significantly greater presence.
They do this by excreting pheromones, which the male leopards use to attract females and claim their territory. It is essential to remember that these femoral pores might occasionally get obstructed, requiring a trip to the veterinarian to be cleared out.
You get a male if you see little spots on the reptile’s thighs. On the other hand, if you cannot find any, you own a female leopard gecko.
Hemipenile Bulges
Male Leos have two bulges behind their vent known as hemipenile bulges. The hemipenes, often known as the male reproductive organs, are situated in this region. Hemipenes are two penises in the tail that burst on either side of the vent during breeding. Some individuals force out the hemipenes to check that their leopard gecko is male; however, this might cause hemipenes prolapse or damage. Unhandled leopard geckos may lose their tail if they feel uncomfortable or frightened.
Preanal Pores
These pre-anal holes may be seen on the species’ undersides of both males and females. They are more prominent in males and constitute a line. In females, the V-shaped pore development surrounding the vent is considerably smaller and more difficult to perceive than in males.
These preanal pores secrete a waxy material that acts as a territorial marker and helps attract potential mates. If you are holding a gecko and cannot see the V-formed pre-anal pores, then you are most likely having a male Leopard gecko.
Handling Ease
During mating season, male geckos seem friendlier and like being touched by people. Female geckos will hide when approached.
You may even keep more than one female gecko in a single tank, provided that you provide the appropriate housing and facilities for them. This is helpful information for new lizard keepers who intend to retain many females to breed their creatures.
On the other hand, it is not desirable to keep more than one male gecko in a single enclosure; therefore, separate tanks should be utilized. This is because males are hostile against one another and will bite, which can result in injuries and infections.
Temperament
Breeders claim that a gecko’s disposition relies on its sex; however, this isn’t true. There is the same amount of aggressive female geckos as aggressive male geckos.
When they reach adolescence, leopard geckos exhibit a distinct shift in their behavior, which is something to keep in mind. When ovulation begins, males develop aggressive territorial behavior, while females reduce the amount of food they consume.
Your female geckos will begin ovulating between January and July after they reach maturity and require more calcium.
Chirping Sounds
The noises they produce can help you sex a leopard gecko. Male geckos produce more noise than female geckos due to their natural tendency to be more territorial. When mating, they chirp to attract females.
When geckos feel threatened, they chirp. In contrast, a female gecko will chirp when they are hungry most of the time.
Lifespan
Some male geckos have been recorded as living for over 25 years, but on average, their lifespan is just 15 years. This is because male usually has fewer health problems than females.
On the other hand, female gecko ovaries produce one egg every month regardless of whether or not they are mating. They eat less or not, causing calcium insufficiency and metabolic bone disease.
Why Should You Know The Gecko’s Gender?
Understanding male and female leopard gecko distinctions extend beyond physical features, breeding, and naming. When choosing a male or female Leo, there are several other factors to consider.
If you want to breed your geckos, you must have both a male and a female in your collection. It’s also important to know the gender of your Leo because males and females act in different ways. Health issues are also different for male and female leopard geckos.
Taking Care of a Female Leopard Gecko
Egg-bound is the condition that occurs when a female leopard gecko is unable to lay her eggs successfully. Egg binding, also called dystocia, happens when a female gecko isn’t getting enough food to lay eggs properly.
If the female leopard gecko doesn’t get enough calcium, she will be unable to have the contractions she needs to push the eggs out. When the gecko tries too hard to deposit the eggs, the cloaca might prolapse due to the effort. Dystocia is a very significant issue, so you should see a vet as immediately as possible.
Care for a Male Leopard Gecko
Because of a blockage or an infection, male leopard geckos may have their hemipenes collapse. Male Leos have small reproductive organs called hemipenes that are only visible during mating.
Hemipenal prolapse is a condition that affects geckos that occurs when the organs do not retract back into the body. You must get medical attention for your male leopard gecko if he is exhibiting symptoms of hemipenes prolapse. If you try to correct the prolapse on your own, you might end up hurting the gecko’s hemipenes.
Are Female Leopard Geckos Larger Than Males?
No, female geckos are smaller than males because their bodies are narrower. Because males are more likely to fight, they have a larger build. It has been observed that male and female leopard geckos sometimes coexist.
The Eublepharis macularius species are not social animals; instead, they are solitary and territorial. In order to prevent the animals from fighting with one another, it is advisable to keep them in separate enclosures and only introduce a new mate during the mating season.