Juvenile gender recognition

bsamps · #1 12-04-2011, 10:54 AM

I'm picking up our first gecko today, a baby. The person I'm getting them from wants me to take both of them. From what I understand, two males don't do well together. I asked what gender the two are, and he doesn't know. He said that they are too young to tell. I'd be happy to adopt both but I want them to be happy together. Is there any way of determining what gender they are at that age? I'm not sure what to do, any suggestions? A second habitat is out of the question right now. My son and I finally convinced my wife to get one and there's no way that she will go for two habitats right now.

bsamps · #2 12-04-2011, 12:33 PM

Anyone there? I'm a bit anxious for suggestions. I don't have that much time, and this guy is really in a hurry to get rid of his last two Leo's.

Yoshi'smom · #3 12-04-2011, 12:51 PM

I would just take one. There is no way to be certain of the sex until it reaches maturity at about 5-8 months old. If you don't have the means for two separate tanks, then I would just take one. It'll be better for the leo's in the long run.

bsamps · #4 12-04-2011, 12:59 PM

Will 2 juvi males get along for a while

bsamps · #5 12-04-2011, 01:12 PM

Ok, this is what's going on; the guy had all geckos spoken for until someone backed out. He's leaving to go over-seas tomorrow, and if the other gecko isn't taken then he will have to terminate the 'lil guys life. I feel like I should save it but I don't want the two to be miserable together. If they will get along as juvis, then I'm sure I can make another home for the other one as time goes by. Decisions, decisions!

Mardy · #6 12-04-2011, 02:04 PM

If they are housed together now, there's a good chance they can get along fine until roughly 5 months of age. After that males reach their sexual maturity and they will try to fight for territory. That's if both of them are males.

If two tanks is out of question, try getting a big enough tank that you can put in a divider. That works as well as long as you get a long enough tank so they still have enough room. Also technically they should be separated for quarantine purposes in the first place, so if you do get two, you want to either work on getting 2 tanks or one tank that's big enough to place a divider in the middle.

Just a note that some breeders will make up things to get you to buy their animals. I've had breeders tell me "someone else will buy it TODAY if you don't make the decision NOW!!!" Of course 2 weeks later, they still had that gecko and it didn't go anywhere. So unless you know the breeder well, I wouldn't get forced into buy two just because he's saying he'll cull the other one.

bsamps · #7 12-04-2011, 02:14 PM

This isn't a breeder. He's a gecko owner who had to get rid of them because he's moving.

Thanks for the input. I think I'm going to get them both, and separate them later if I have to.

Mardy · #8 12-04-2011, 02:23 PM

If he's not a breeder not sure why he would have a lot of geckos, including small juveniles. Anyways if you have room and the funds, tell your wife geckos are cheap & easy to maintain. There's not a big difference between having 1 vs 2, as you'll likely buy feeders bulk online, and you'll have plenty of feeders to feed them with.

bsamps · #9 12-04-2011, 02:29 PM

Thanks. I think the wife will see that two will fit just fine.

He had two adults and 4 juvi's. He got a job offer overseas that he couldn't pass up. All of them were basically spoken for, but apparently someone backed out at the last minute. Anyhow, they are now with me and I'm heading home with them. Thanks again for the info.

Saskia · #10 12-06-2011, 09:59 AM

I am so happy you took them both!!! Your wife will probably fall in love with the both of them in a short time, as Mardy said, there´s not much difference between having one or two!! Could you post a pic????