Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, I've had this Ball Python for 6 years now, and it just recently hit me that i'm not possitive about "his" gender...the guy at the pet store said he "thought" they were all guys...yeah.
Anyways, can anyone tell me the probing depths for Ball Pythons? (I probed "him" and the probe went to about 6 scales on the right side of the cloaca, but then it only probed to half that on the left side...so I have no clue what sex it is! help please?)

Males probe 5+ subcaudal scales and females probe 2-3 subcaudal scales. Hope this helps.

Ill share a few tips from my own experiance. Hope it helps.

Whenever you probe first be confidant you are using the appropriate size probe. Trust me, smaller is probably better. No one likes to admitt it but Im sure alot of us in our less experianced days probed little snake or something and noticed a little blood speckle after....Ya...thats because the probe was too big and tissue was torn.......
It definately doesnt need to feel tight going in. All your looking for is a gentle slide until it stops (obviously) but I realize that can be difficult if hes big and strong.

Secondly, make sure you lube it with some KY or whatever naughty jelly you have in your drawer....PATROLIUM JELLY IS NOT RECOMMENDED......its too thick and not slippery enough for a comfortable fit. It will just make for a tighter than necessary fit. Ive never done it but Ive watched morons at pet stores do it. errrrrr!

When inserting the probe give it a few nice turns as you go in just to ease the slide and also respect the animals orface......try to remember that you wouldnt want a metal rod up your peace pipe...lol
About 4-6 scales should denote a male. Up to 12 or 14 and you might have a female. Try to push when you feel him relax. Probing is kindof tricky because its good if you can get in and get out but you dont want to be too impatient and ram it.

If its at all possible I recommend popping as an alternative. Despite what people say it is certainly possible to pop an adult. You just have to help him get comfortable..for example...NOT holding his huge body in the air by his little tail. Set him on your lap or on a surface and softly but firmly bend his tail (cloaca up) over your two index fingers--place the side of your thumb about half and inch away from the cloace twards the tail and roll firmly...not quickly...just firmly and steady because he will resist but if you picture in your head what youre trying to accomplish then youll be able to carefully evert that hemipene. Chances are if its a male youll get a beautiful u-shaped boogger instead which is his way of saying "Im ready for the ladys". The proof is in the pudding.

Sorry if I got a little carried away. I dont share much but I like to share what Im realy confidant with.

Good luck.

About 4-6 scales should denote a male. Up to 12 or 14 and you might have a female.

Males probe deeper than females. They need longer "sleeves" for the hemipenes.

when I posted....Ya males are deeper.
I was pretty tired when I wrote that.

Most of your advice was great. But the depth is off. Males probe deeper. That being said, my experience:

Males probe 9 I have females that probe up to 7. I don't believe I have ever probed a male that was less than 9.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

I hope you haven't sold very many snakes with this probing method. If so your going to have alot of pissed off customers.

That probed 4-5 scales deep. LOL Just to get them off your hands. No one needs huge normal males. I agree coldblooded. LMAO

>>I hope you haven't sold very many snakes with this probing method. If so your going to have alot of pissed off customers.
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Thomas Jones
aligatorhunter@cox.net