If you are keeping a chameleon, it is very important to know the gender because it determines the type of care you will provide. In general, female chameleons need to be given a complex diet, and special care for laying eggs. Male chameleons are usually easier to care for and suitable for novice employers. All chameleons like to be alone and prefer to separate cages. This is especially important for male chameleons who will fight if they are kept together in the same cage. The sex of the chameleon baby cannot be determined because the coloring and sex characteristics have not developed until several months.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Determining the Sex of All Chameleon Species
Step 1. Examine the hemi-penal bulge
Many species of chameleons display genital markings. In male chameleons, this sign is a small bump on the underside, just at the base of the tail. This bulge will develop in a few months. Female chameleons have a smooth tail base without a bulge.
Step 2. Pay attention to the color of the chameleon
Chameleon coloration varies widely between species, but males are usually lighter in color. In common species, only male chameleons develop bright colors. If you buy a baby chameleon, the color is still not developed. Depending on the species, it can take several months for the chameleon's color to begin to show.
Female chameleons will have beautiful colors when in the heat and amazing patterns when pregnant (carrying eggs)
Step 3. Check the size of the chameleon
In most species, the male chameleon is larger than the female. The difference will be very striking because male chameleons can grow up to twice the size of female chameleons. However, the size of the chameleon varies greatly depending on the species and its maintenance. There are chameleon species that do not differ in size between male and female chameleons.
Step 4. Study your chameleon species
If you know the species, look for sex characteristics and determine whether your chameleon is male or female. If you don't know what the species is, look it up in a library or online. Do an image search and see pictures of the species that most closely resemble your chameleon.
- There are about 180 different species of chameleons in the world, but only a few are commonly kept as pets.
- Ask the seller. If you don't know the gender of the chameleon when you bought it, contact the person who sold you the chameleon. This information is relevant to your chameleon's care, and the seller should have provided this information to you.
- If you catch chameleons in the wild, do some research to find out what chameleon species are in your area. However, be aware that capturing wild chameleons is highly discouraged and may be illegal.
Part 2 of 2: Determining the Sex of Common Species
Step 1. Identify the sex of the panther chameleon (Panther chameleon)
Examine the chameleon's hemi-penal bulge. The male panther chameleon has a small bulge at the base of its tail, while the female chameleon does not. Male chameleons are much larger, and can grow up to 50 cm long. Panther chameleons are bright and varied in color, but males are usually prettier in color.
Step 2. Identify the sex of the veiled chameleon
Examine the chameleon's tarsal spurs. Male chameleons of this species are born with protrusions on the backs of their hind legs. If the chameleon does not have these bumps, it is female. Male chameleons may also display a hemi-penal ridge at the base of their tail after a few months of age.
- If you have several enveloped chameleons, you may notice differences in size and color between male and female chameleons. Male chameleons have a larger casque (head guard) and are lighter in color than female chameleons.
- “Casque” is a spur on the head that can grow to exceed 7.5 cm on the head of a chameleon.
Step 3. Determine the gender of Jackson's chameleon
Examine the chameleon's hemi-penal ridge at the base of its tail. Male chameleons have bumps, while female chameleons do not. Male and female chameleons of this species have horns above the eyes and mouth, but are most common on male chameleons.
Step 4. Identify the sex of the carpet chameleon
Check the hemipenal bulge at the base of the chameleon's tail. Male chameleons have a bulge at the base of their tail and their body size is usually larger than female chameleons. The female chameleon will not grow beyond 10 cm and the base of the tail is smooth.
Step 5. Identify the sex of the Fischer chameleon
Examine the hemi-penal ridge at the base of the chameleon's tail. The male and female chameleons of this species have a “double rostral process”, which is two long, double-faced branches. Generally this feature is more common in male chameleons, and sometimes female chameleons do not have it at all.
Step 6. Identify the sex of the Flapneck chameleon
Measure the length of your Flapneck chameleon. The female chameleon of this species is larger than the male, and can grow up to 20 cm long. Male chameleons are smaller in size and have a hemi-penal ridge at the base of their tail.
Step 7. Identify the sex of the four-horned chameleon
Examine the chameleon's horns. Male chameleons of this species have 2-6 horns on the face and a hemi-penal projection at the base of the tail. This chameleon also has a large crest on its chest, a casque, or protrusion of the head. Female chameleons do not have protrusions, horns, crests or casques.
Step 8. Identify the sex of Meller's chameleon
Check the chameleon eggs. The sex of this species is very difficult to determine, because the appearance is almost the same. If you have several Meller chameleons, try to check during breeding season as the female will lay eggs.
If it's urgent, try getting an X-ray to determine the sex of your Meller chameleon
Step 9. Identify the sex of the Oustalet chameleon
Check the chameleon's green color. Only female Oustalet chameleons are green. Female and male Oustalet chameleons can be gray, brown, black or white. Examine the hemi-penal ridge at the base of the tail. Female chameleons do not have protrusions and can grow up to 75 cm long.
