Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've owned "Merlin" for roughly three years now, and since I purchased him/her at the petstore three years ago he/she has grown roughly an inch in length and considerable girth. I would say his/her belly has tripled in girth since I purchased him/her. However, when I first made the purchase I took him/her to a vet and the vet probed him/her and told me it was male. However, I have had several opinions that it could be female. I am posting a few pictures of Merlin here to try to find out of he/she is male/female so I can get him/her a girlfriend/boyfriend. =)

Sorry for the confusion!

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"Speak softly to my lizard fair nor raise your hand to me, For they are quick to take offense And quicker to champion me." ~Anne McCaffrey.

1.1 Bearded Dragon
0.4 Bearded Dragon Hatchlings
2.2 Leopard Gecko
0.2 Leopard Gecko Hatchlings
1.1 Blood Corn
1.0 Ball Python
0.1 Mali Uromastyx
6 leopard gecko eggs in the incubator

female
see comparison pic here

I suspect you have a female Banded Uromastyx, not a Mali. One inch growth in 2 -3 years is pretty small. You may want to recheck your diet to make sure she is getting the correct nutrients. She looks good in the photo but by 3 years old she should be at least 10" total length (if she was only an inch shorter 3 years ago, then she is obviously older than at least 4 or 5 years). Sometimes moving them into a larger cage will stimulate a growth spurt - especially in the early spring.

The Bandeds are a little harder to sex as both sexes have obvious hemipenal pouches which is probably why your Vet said it was male.

Doug