Lizard farming: courtship / mating

Courting

There are many different courtship behaviors and “rituals” among lizards. Many species move their heads up and down and show their dewlap. Several other species, including agamas and chameleons, move their front leg up and down or in a circular motion. Some lizards have been known to bite each other during courtship. Lizards rarely eat while courting, and they also drink minimal. This is normal and you should not be concerned if the lizards remain healthy. After mating takes place, the lizards eat at a slightly accelerated rate.

Mating

All male lizards have a flap of skin at the base of the tail, which covers what is called the cloaca. The sexual organs are hidden within the cloaca. They have paired organs, called hemipenes. They are inside the ventral portion of the tail, covered with sheaths. A vans deferens connects each testicle to one of the hemipenes. The lizard’s testicles are found inside the body.

The vast majority of mammals mount their partner from behind, which is not the case with lizards. In reality, it is impossible for a lizard to mount its mate this way. Male lizards will approach the female from the side, many biting the female’s neck and trying to position their cloaca as close to the female as possible. At this point, the closest hemipenes are erected. The hemipenes of many species of lizards are adorned with spines or ‘hooks’ of some kind, ensuring a grip during mating.

At this point, the sperm will travel through the penis, along the hemipene canal, to the cloaca of the females. Fertilization occurs when sperm enter the female’s oviducts. Some species of lizards, such as veiled chameleons, can store sperm for later fertilization without the need for a male.