BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

heh Yeh I know what I am, but take a look at these little fattys. They were born in Feb, can you guess what sex they are and why?

I thought it would be interesting because I imagine that this is the size that many would come up for sale, which is about the hardest possible time to tell the sexes apart.

They are in pre-shed mode so I'll post after photos as well for comparison.

Actually I don't know 100% myself but I am 70%+ certain. Would be interested in opinions and reasoning.

Scott

Bluey 1 female- large body, long tail, small head
Bluey 2 male- thinner, and long body

I have no clue but I love how they have nearly the identical pose in the first pic

I'll say #1 is male, #2 is female.

worst size for sexing i reckon,lol until young adult size,especially from pics

i think female top male bottom,just has that female bigger all over vibe of a young blotched

im not sure if it holds true for your line scott but the vic alpine males start going paler than females around that size,females get deeper yellow and are leaving males behind size wise

mmm here is another shot for comparison against a known female.

they are SOOOO cute, i want them regardless male or female lol

Actually my guess is that they are both female after observing a lot of them over the last 5 years. I could be sold either way on no. 1 as male or female but 70% leaning female in my humble opinion.

Generally, when born, males are born slightly larger overall and generally with larger heads and more robust features all round. Females are discernible as having less robust features in most circumstances but can be born looking quite robust. Don't be decieved however because even applying this rule, some of the most robust looking ones turn out to be female.

As they age (to about the age pictured) they equillibrate however the females eat and eat, whereas the males are more picky in their eating habits. At this age pictured if you were to have a dozen babies it would be able to guess about 70% right (as either male or female) simply by observing the tankier built babies as females vs. "the others" which would mostly be males.

I think head size and shape at this age is irrelevant - I find that head size is relative to the ultimate size of the animal and not sex. In actual fact absolute head size is biggest in mature females, however relatively large heads (to neck girth) is a male trait. Adult males who have fought over mating rights over many years can often have larger heads as a result of scutes reforming and fortifying with age.

In general, even from birth females will have slightly wider hips and a shorter and often stockier tail. Oddly I find that even when young females tend to be able to eat larger food items. mmmm not sure why - maybe just more determined. :-)

Of course there is a chance that I'm 100% wrong.

I'd guess they're both girls.
I wish I could get another skink! One just isn't enough!

I can't believe I missed this thread until now! I am dying to learn more about sexing blotchies. I am on my way out right now, but I am going to study these tomorrow and try to give my opinion.

I also need to post some pictures of my two to get the opinion of you guys that have kept so many.

Jeff wrote:I also need to post some pictures of my two to get the opinion of you guys that have kept so many.

I forgot you had Blotchies

I think the jury is back on this one as a girl, photo from today. Grown a couple of inches since the last photo. I'll post the other one when I can catch it.