You will not be able to accurately determine the sex of your iguana until it is at least 2 years old, or possibly older. As they get older, however, you will begin to see differences that can help you distinguish between a male and a female.
| Femoral
Pores Along the underside of the hind legs, iguanas have a series of pores called femoral pores. Best developed in the males, these pores secrete a waxy gray substance. The exudate from the femoral pores contains scenting molecules called pheromones, which are used to mark territory. The femoral pores of the male iguana are proportionately larger than those of the female. |
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The Crest
Both males and females have vertebral crests, a row of enlarged, pointed scales along the spine, beginning at the head and decreasing in size down to the tail. The crest is larger and more pronounced in the males, and makes then look larger to their opponents.
The Dewlap
All iguanas bear a dewlap, a fold of skin under the throat that is displayed in courtship and territorial behaviors. Genereally speaking, the males do most of the territorial displays, but the females also display. In adulthood, the males are larger, have heavier jowls, swollen temporal areas, and are brighter in overall coloration than females.
Males do not begin to develop the jowls until they are 3+ years of age. It is possible for older females to develop some jowls, and smaller, submissive males may have very small or no jowls.
Both males and females bob their heads. Females bob in a more side to side manner. Males bob more smoothly up and down. This can also be hard to distinguish if you have a male who has never been exposed to other iguanas or a mirror; they can bob like females.
Males bob in greeting as well to show their dominance from a relaxed reclining position. When they feel competition they will show a specific territorial bob - they will raise their bellies off the ground, laterally compress themselves a bit, then bob.
Just remember, whether male or female, your iguana needs specific care. If there is anything that you are not sure of in regard to caring for your iguana read Love My Iguana's Care Guide.
*Some material on this page was obtained from Iguanas - A Complete Pet Owner's Manual, R.D. Bartlett and Patricia P. Bartlett, copyright 1995 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc.
