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Sexing Without Probing

HappyHillbilly Oct 03, 2008 12:43 AM

In a thread below Kelly Haller mentioned sexing Burmese Pythons by their spurs located on the belly near the cloaca. Here are a few photos showing, detailing, the differences.

Generally, the spurs of a male are larger than a female's spurs. If you have a male & female to compare with each other the differences are night & day.

A male's spurs are usually clearly visible where a female's spurs are smaller and usually sunken into a sort of pit or cavity, making them much harder to see without pulling at the surrounding skin.

The female in the above photos is aprox. 12ft and the male is aprox 10ft.

To keep from creating a huge post that kills dial-up users, like myself, click the next post to see how Burmese Pythons can be sexed fairly accurately just by looking at the taper of their tail.

Later!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American


www.natures-signature.com

Replies (7)

HappyHillbilly Oct 03, 2008 01:02 AM

Using the taper of the tail to sex Burmese Pythons isn't an exact science, but with some practice you can become pretty darn accurate.

In general - Females have a more pronounced taper that begins at the cloaca. Males have more of a gradual taper that's hardly noticeable.

A snake that is overweight or underweight can easily fool you. A fat male can look like a female and a skinny, slender, female can look like a male. It takes some time observing the differences to get the hang of reading a snake's body. Practice at the next reptile show you go to.

Just for the record, I'm not thinking that I just found the Holy Grail; I've know this info for years. I was asked to post photos of the spurs and figured I'd go ahead and share the info about tail taper with those that have never heard of it or don't believe in it. I'm just trying to be of some help, for a change.

Ya'll have a good one!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American


www.natures-signature.com

ArtInScales Oct 03, 2008 11:13 PM

Good info Mike.

It's cool to watch the male using those spurs during breeding. He can manipulate them just as easily as you can wiggle your fingers.
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Randy and Michelle
Art In Scales
(719) 439-4199
info@artinscales.com

knottydread Oct 03, 2008 08:55 AM

Hi HH,

Great info! Thanks for the pics. My male seems to have much larger spurs, maybe he was just happy to see me.

I'll have to take a picture and share. He's not nearly as big as yours...

Thanks again! I really need to get a female for him one of these days.
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1.0 Het Albino Burm
1.0 Albino Ball
1.1 Pastel Balls
0.1 Spider Ball
0.2 Het Albino Balls

Seeking bigger cages for the family

osira Oct 06, 2008 11:48 PM

is there any way to sex a hatchling without probing?

HappyHillbilly Oct 07, 2008 11:09 AM

Hi there!
"Popping" is the best way to sex hatchlings up to a few months old or slightly older. It can be a bit tricky to learn how to do it effectively and without damaging organs, bones, muscle,... but it's not too hard to learn.

Kathy Love has good videos on how to probe & pop corn snakes, which are the same techniques for Burmese Pythons and any other snake that I can think of at the moment.

Here's the link to her videos:

Notice how easy she makes it look. LOL! Looks like she's done it a time or two before. Hahaha!!!

The hardest part for me was learning to get the right amount of pressure applied to the tail. Just enough to force the sexual organs out but not enough pressure to damage anything.

You'll know a male, without a doubt, when you pop it right. Until you pop a male you'll most likely question whether you've actually just popped a female or not.

Have a good one!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American


www.natures-signature.com

HappyHillbilly Oct 07, 2008 11:15 AM

Don't know what happened to the video link in my earlier post. I'll give it another try.

Link: Popping & Probing Video

If that link doesn't work or come through as it should (I know this one is done right) go to her website and you can find the link. Or Google "Kathy Love sexing snakes."

Later!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American


www.natures-signature.com

HappyHillbilly Oct 07, 2008 01:04 PM

Kelly Haller gets the credit for putting the info out here. I just did what any good "show off" would do, take the idea & run with it (posting pics of what he was talking about). Ha! Ha!

Definitley post some photos. I always enjoy seeing photos of other people's pets.

Take care!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American


www.natures-signature.com

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