Normal length?

[marisa]

Hey guys, just wondering if my skink's age/length is about normal, or if he's small or large for his age. I know there's a lot of variation, so maybe there is no way to tell, but thought I'd ask what you guys think.

Ajax is now 10 months old and at 17 inches long or so. Is that about normal? I'm trying to decide if I should buy him a bigger enclosure (right now he's in a 18x36 critter cage) and I think he might be bigger than I first anticipated by the time he's done growing. I know they technically always grow a tiny bit, but when does the initial "fast" growing end?

Also, I know that guessing at sex is hit or miss, but if I upload a few pictures is he old enough to take a guess?

Thanks!

[Dakota]

There is no "normal" skink size. Sizes/Growth vary a lot. Like saying every human is going to go to be 5' 10".. some hit a growth spurt, some take a bit.

Northerns are one of the more trickier species of Tiliqua to tell, for me that is.. but a lot of people seem to have Northerns down to a science pretty good.. especially the ones that keep them.

[Richard.C]

northerns are one of the easiest to sex visually when they get to subadult/adult size

[marisa]

Ok thanks guys, here are a few pics; any guesses as to Ajax's sex?

Btw I know I need to trim his nails... I'm worried about using clippers; is it possible to file them down with a nail file? Thanks again!

[Richard.C]

male

[bluetonguerocks]

nice pics

[bluetonguerocks]

As quoted from bluetongueskinks.net

"Here's a few of the more reliable methods. As mentioned above, males have two sex organs called the hemipenes. You can often see these hemi-penile bulges protruding out at the tail base. Check your skink's underside, look right at the flap, and see if it bulges out to the left and right. If it does, you possibly have a male. The following picture is just to give you the general idea. Real hemi-penile bulges would be placed a bit higher, and probably not quite as evident. All animals are different though. Depending on size, weight, and age, it can often be difficult to determine. If your animal's tail is thin, it does NOT mean it's a female. Again, these are just clues. This animal's thick tail is likely just fat storage."

Determining gender is hard I suppose, but good luck! It is always fun to know your loved one is Joe or Josephine

[marisa]

Thanks guys! I always sort of felt he was a dude skink, but of course that's probably just because I named him Ajax!

It really is nuts how addicting these guys are. I'm already dying to get a couple more and make mini Ajax babies someday. I have to keep reminding myself I have no more room in my tiny apartment, haha, between him and my small collection of fish.