Determing Gender... help

[Skyfall]

Hello,
I've been trying to determine the gender of the Axolotls we recently recieved, but every time I think I have it figured out, it seems like it changes.
I'm getting really frustrated!

After finding what I believe to be a spermatophore, I'm a bit more anxious to figure this out!

Leopold: I'm more and more certian he is actually a he.

Loleta: I think is the only female in the tank... key word... think

Axolotl Rose (aka Rose): I think is Male, but am not sure

I'm sorry the pictures arn't great... for some reason they didn't like it when I tried to take pictures of their "junk in the trunk"... go figure! lol
Please let me know if other pictures would help more.

I am also aware that these pebbles are a bit small and will be removing them today!

Thanks in advance for the help!

Skyfall

 

[Kerry1968]

HI Skyfall,

I would go with your guesses too!

I go by looking at the actual length of the clocal area, if you get what I mean. Like from hind legs to the start of the tail, males tend to have a longer area than females. I've found it's a way of deciding (roughly) if the males cloaca isn't that enlarged yet (in a juvie). Though I'm still keeping an eye on my 6 month old juvies in case I got it wrong!

How old (long) is Rose? Do you think he's reached full maturity?

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Picture 1 is definitely male.
Picture 2 I would safely bet is a male.
Picture 3 is most likely female.


Ventral (from underneath, looking at the belly) , rather than lateral (side view) photos will help immensely in positive identification.

 

[Kerry1968]

OK so perhaps my theory is wrong then! Ah well, you live an learn!

 

[kenya]

But to get pictures from underneath don't you have to handle them? Isn't that a no-no?

Good luck with the sexing. I wish it were as easy as it is with rats
You KNOW when you have a male, hahaha.

 

[Kaysie]

Handle them at a minimum. Slight handling for the sake of pictures isn't that stressful.

My guess are Male, Male, and unknown.

 

[Darkmaverick]

My guess are all Males, although some females during breeding times may have slightly 'stretched-out and puffy" looking cloacas.

 

[Jye]

I agree with Johnny Farnen. Also, females will be noticeably more swollen then the more slender males. A top view should help. You will figure out how to sex them eventually.

 

[Clairey Beary]

I think all your axies are male.

Claire

 

[Skyfall]

Thanks for all your help everyone!!!

I still haven't seen any eggs yet, so I will keep an eye out, but the all male possibility seems likely.

Thanks again!

 

[slimer]

From my experience they mostly breed during the winter months.