Bearded Dragon DNA Sexing Test

Determine the genetic sex of your bearded dragon using a simple mail-in DNA sample.

Bearded dragons use a ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system (just like birds):

• ZZ = genetic male

• ZW = genetic female

Our PCR test targets the W-specific region found only in female (ZW) dragons. This gives a clear, reliable genetic sex result long before visual sexing is possible.

This test is based on the modern H2/F W-linked assay, which produces:

• One band (Z only) → Genetic Male (ZZ)

• Two bands (Z + W) → Genetic Female (ZW)

This method is currently the standard in reptile genetics research for bearded dragons.

Important Note on Bearded Dragons:
Bearded dragons can experience temperature-dependent sex reversal at high incubation temperatures. This means a dragon may look female but still be genetically male (ZZ).
This is normal for the species, and the test reports genotype only, not phenotype.

Please read below for full details.