How Can I Tell if My Salamander Is a Female or Male and How Old It Is?

Salamanders are frequently mistaken as lizards, but are actually amphibians with soft, moist skin. There are 350 different species of salamanders, ranging in size from 2 inches to 4.9 feet long, and many species are used as pets throughout the world. Knowing the sex and age of a pet salamander can be useful, especially for breeding.

Things You'll Need

  • Salamander field guide
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the species of your salamander. If you do not already know the species of your pet salamander, use a salamander field guide and consider its size, habitat and eating habits.

    • 2

      Read about your salamander species in your field guide or an online amphibian database to find out what physical characteristics each sex has. In general, a male salamander has a larger cloaca, or genital opening, under the body near the back legs. A female salamander is usually more plump. These rules do not apply to all species though, so it is best to learn the specifics of your species.

    • 3

      Analyze size and physical characteristics in the field guide to determine the salamander's approximate age. If your pet is full grown, there is no reliable way to know its age. If it is still young or going through metamorphosis, you can approximate its age by how developed it is and comparing that to information in your field guide. For example, an Eastern Hellbender Salamander will have gills until approximately 18 months of age. At approximately five to seven years, these salamanders are considered full grown and sexually mature.