sexing blue tongues

[Y33T]

i bought a scales&tails magazine from the reptile expo way back in march last year though the magazine itself was published nearly 8 years ago and it talks about sexing eastern blue tongues and one part stated that males grow faster than females. is this info still useful or is it outdated?

[splashy07]

I have personally had the exact opposite happen, so I would not trust this information. Skinks grow in accordance to what they are being fed, and so far what I have seen in my own personal experience, my females grew faster and larger their first year.

[starscream3232]

Each skink grows at a different rate. I’ve had females reach breeding size in less than a year and produce babies. I’ve had males take almost two years to reach full sizes and some ready to breed at 8 months old. Each skink grows at a different rate.

[Karbon]

I've looked and looked and looked for info on correlation between age and size, but everything I find is 'It Varies'.

Experts and breeders all say the same thing - It depends on your skink and can depend on their diet.

[craigb]

I have only observed behavior.
I have a known male Northern and two known females.
I just received a 2017 Merauke. I plan to feed it well, a large variety of foods.
In August I plan to introduce it to a female Northern. I will be right there to confirm if he tries to mount her.
I will not let mating occur. If nothing happens, I will introduce him to the male Northern. If they start to battle I will immediately separate them.
If he tries to mount it I will consider it a female.