Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How large does a C. similis have to be before it is truly sexable? And short of probing, how can I make the determination? In other words, what external physical traits should I be looking for?

Thank you.

C.

The males start to grow thier spikes at about 2-1/2 to 3 years old or when they start reaching a snout to vent length of 6 to 7 inches. Females will not develop spikes. Males begin to show bulges at the base of thier tails just below their vent where they store the hemipenes. Males are slightly taller and females are flatter and wider. It is dificult to sex them at an early age without probing which can be dangerous or misleading if done improperly because you can perforate the animal and get a false reading. If you have some pics of the vent/tail area and the dorsal, e-mail them to me or post them here.

Manny
mannysreptiles@msn.com

Interesting Manny, My similis is about 1.5 years has a real heavy thick dewlap and neck but only has slight spikes. I've just assumed at this point it was female since real pointed spikes have not formed, but didn't realize it may take that long (I have a pair of plumifrons basilisks that were an obvious male and female after about 3 months).

I'm mainly used to seeing Similis in the wild. Animals may take longer to grow in the wild since they have to work for food and then you have the environment which may be harsh and provide very little nutrition. Also take into consideration that the metabolism of a reptile slows down in the colder months hence growth is slowed during those months. In captivity, they may grow faster if fed nutritious food and given adequate lighting and heat, but growth and physical characteristics can differ from animal to animal even in animals born from the same clutch. For example, I collect Similis here in Miami where the foliage is lush and in Boca Grande where the habitat is dryer and harsher. The Similis in Miami grow much bigger and more robust than the ones in Boca Grande. The ones from Boca Grande grow smaller and (believe it or not) are more aggressive than the ones I collect here in Miami which I've heard that increased aggressiveness may be associated with a high intake of salt but I'm not sure about that.

I have also caught females with larger than normal spikes and males with reduced spikes as well. In sexing young Similis you will have to combine all the characteristics e.g.: femoral pores, spikes, bulging tail base(or lack thereof, body shape, etc.. and make a educated guess based on these factors, but only time will tell what the sex truly is as the animal matures.

Wow! did I write all that? lol
Manny

Hi, Manny.

Thanks for the information. Alas, mine is only five inches or so SVL. Apparently much too young to sex.

Best wishes,

C.