Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It's said everywhere; the only reliable way to find out the snakes sex is to have it probed. Well, I have my oldest BP probed and still doubt his gender. About a year ago I had him (?) probed. The probe came 6 scales and the guy said it was a male. But I heard mixed things about 6 scales. Could still be a female. So I had him probed again by someone else. The probe came 8 scales. The guy also looked at the shape of his tail and said he was a male.
So this year a bought a hatchling (female, if the breeder probed her right) to complete the couple.
But I keep having seconds thoughts about his gender. He is so full. Has a very round girth. He's now 104 cm (3.4 feet) and weighs 1100 grams (2.4 pounds). I still can't get any sperm plugs from him so that doesn't help either.

What do you think about this? Is he a male?

Here a recent pic of him

And here a pic of his tail. Sorry for his bad looks, he is in shed.

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1.1 Python regius (Monty Python & Cheetah)
1.1 Gerrhosaurus major (Falkor & Gizmo)
0.0.3 Cordylus tropidosternum (Rocco, Senna & Zoë)

8 scales deep is more than likely a male but I wouldn't say for sure until I saw it or did it myself! Sexing can definatley be a tricky thing. Usually when they are young "popping" them is the best way to do it because to get the hemipenis to come out is usually pretty easy on young BP!

"Usually when they are young "popping" them is the best way to do it because to get the hemipenis to come out is usually pretty easy on young BP!"

Yes, but he was already 1 year old when I got him. So no luck in popping.
But I don't like this uncertainty. I just bought a little female to complete the couple.
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1.1 Python regius (Monty Python & Cheetah)
1.1 Gerrhosaurus major (Falkor & Gizmo)
0.0.3 Cordylus tropidosternum (Rocco, Senna & Zoë)

Did you probe both sides? I have a female that probes 7 deep. All my males are at least 8 deep. So, in your case, I think you are border line. It's good to look for other things. Sperm plugs should be present for a snake that size. If you aren't getting any... Keep trying weekly for at least a month. Also, it can be pretty tricky to get them out. The method is very similar to "popping". Another thing you can try: put him in with another male about the same size. If they begin to "battle", I'd say you have a male.
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Jay A. Martin

Well, I'm not that fortunate to have many BP. I have this guy (?) and a 7 1/2 months old female.
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1.1 Python regius (Monty Python & Cheetah)
1.1 Gerrhosaurus major (Falkor & Gizmo)
0.0.3 Cordylus tropidosternum (Rocco, Senna & Zoë)

Are spurs not a good indicator in ball pythons? I have a male and female about the same size (~ 3.5 ft. male and ~ 4 ft. female), and the male has noticeably larger and hooked spurs. I know with age and breeding a male can wear these down, but what about large virgin males? Can spur size be used to accurately determine sex in virgin ball pythons?

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Jay A. Martin