I am somewhat curious as to my snake's gender, and was wondering if there was a fairly accurate way to sex a subadult ball python without probing? I'm not looking to beed or anything of that nature; I do not need to know for any reason other than basic curiosity. I have "The Ball Python Manual" and have compared my snake to the male and female pictures in the book, to the point where I am almost sure mine is female. (I'm not 100% sure on the vent area; she never wants to hold still long enough for a good look), but I have been told that since females typically have longer and thinner tails, this is a fairly accurate way of knowing. Is this true? (I work at a pet store, and I get a lot of snake "know-it-alls" who come through with information like this... most of which contradicts each other.) Just curious as to whether or not they're just blowing steam...
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Sexing without probing?
christi/tyler
Jun 10, 2003 01:30 PM
Replies (1)
cutlass1972
Jun 10, 2003 03:52 PM
You get a LOT of conflicting information in the herp world! It can be VERY difficult to tell between a male and a female ball without having them probed. I am by far no expert, but sometimes with a "sub adult" you will see a pair of bulges near the snakes vent (hemi-penis) if it is male. My 2 cents, take it to a vet and let them tell you for sure.
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