Hi,

I know this is a very old post, but I just saw it. Assuming your sheltopusik is still alive (they can live 50 years in captivity), I can answer your question based on my own experience.



I would NOT try to sex this lizard in the traditional way, with a blunt probe. The hemipenes may be very delicate, especially if a male is not fully mature.



The only way I learned that our "little girl" was a male was by seeing the hemipenes everted during a strenuous bowel movement. When "she" was several years younger and I saw this for the first time, the organ was so flimsy and flattened that I wasn't sure if it was actually cloacal tissue or an intestinal injury or herniation. But I've seen this a few times since, including about 2 weeks ago, and am pretty sure it is hemipene.



It's not visible every time "she" poops, only if she's really trying hard or having some kind of G.I. problem. I've never found her to be constipated, but she sometimes strains with a loose stool. I mention this so no one lets their curiousity get the best of their common sense and intentionally constipates their lizard in order to determine its sex.



Hope this is helpful. If you or any other sheltopusik owners see this post please answer back, as I'd like to hear from others with this brilliant pet.

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