Reptile & Amphibian Forums

with 100% accuracy, if so how and at what age?

Well nothing is 100%. In last months issue of reptiles there is an article by Mark Bayless, and if I'm not mistaken
V. dumerilii (dumerils monitor) can not be sexed with an x-ray. I have heard of people "popping" them, but would definately let someone do that who is qualified. Good luck.
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Greg Holland
G&M HERPS
www.imageevent.com/gmherps
gmherps@sbcglobal.net

I was just wondering if there was a better way.

an experienced monitor breeder can sex an adult animal with reasonable accuracy, but even then mistakes can be made.

a vet can have a lot of medical knowledge, but most don't have the kind of hands on experience to properly sex a monitor.

and don't let anybody "probe" the animal, that works with snakes, not monitors : )
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

aa

X-rays work with species in which the male develops ossifications on the tips of his hemipenes. This doesn't happen with all species and, in those species in which it does, the males have to be more than just mature before they develop ossifications (from what I understand). It probably wouldn't work for your 7 month old ackies.

Best way to sex them would be to wait.

the main problem lies in the lack of experience, not in the availability of the tools...
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

This is true, was hoping there was a way to circumvent the lack of experience issue. Everyone has to start at the beginning.