What Is the Difference Between Female & Male Bearded Dragons?

Even experienced pet owners find it difficult to determine the sex of a bearded dragon. While male and female bearded dragons tend to have slightly different appearances, no obvious external differences are universal.

  1. Bulges Under Tail

    • A mature male bearded dragon may have two parallel bulges on the underside of his tail; these bulges are located just above the "vent" at the tail's base. If a bearded dragon has these markers, it is definitely male. However, not all male bearded dragons display this feature.

    Size

    • Female bearded dragons tend to be slightly smaller than males, but other factors influence the lizard's size.

    Beard Color

    • Female bearded dragons usually darken their beards less often than males. However, dark beards are seen in both sexes.

    Tail Thickness

    • Adult female bearded dragons tend to have slightly thinner tails.

    Internal Genitalia

    • A qualified veterinarian or herpetologist may use a technique called probing to determine a bearded dragon's sex. This process stimulates the bearded dragon so it will display its internal genitalia. Probing can seriously injure a bearded dragon, so it should only be attempted by an expert.