Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I asked my exotic vet if it was possible for her to do a DNA test to sex my frilled dragon. She didnt know if it was possible for lizards. she is going to research it, but i was wandering it any of yall knew. if you know something about this, or have done it, please reply.

thanks so much,
Andrew

Your vet will likely give you the same answer as this as I've researched it through the same channels (veterinary information network). DNA sexing is (was?) available for iguanas only. It never really took off like the test producer hoped, and no species comes close to iggies in numbers. This is especially true for animals that arn't easily sexed via dimorphic sexual features.

Another problem is that while DNA will usually vary between sexes, the differences will not be the same from species to species. Thus finding the sex genes for each species is alot of work and won't be done in the near future... at least for commercial use. Species that develope gender upon incubation temperatures might not have DNA differences at all.

Perhaps ask the dragon forum about visual sexing characteristics as I do believe that frilled's are at least a little sexually dimorphic.

Other methods available for sexing are probing, radiography, ultrasonagraphy.... right down to CT's and MRI's. THe most difficult part of this is finding a vet that is experienced enough in the detailed gender anatomy of the species your working with, AND has equal experience using the above diagnostic procedures. Of course not all of the above diagnostics will work with every species. The best bet in my opinion would be to sedate the animal and peek into the cloaca with an endoscope.

Have fun with your dragons

Ian