Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum. I've been reading here quite a bit and have found a tremendous amount of info. I always adored reptiles, specifically snakes, but my parent were terrified. I swore the day I moved out on my own, the first thing I would buy would be a snake. Well, I was married on March 28 this year. Before I even had electricity in my new home, my wife and I were out buying a Cal King. He/she was a little older than juvenile when we bought him/her. He is doing quite well...a ferocious appetite he/she has. I have sence bought a gorgeous Albino Nelson's (quite skittish and shy) and a (RuthXThayeri) X Pyro cross. I am a little to scared to try to probe the snakes since I have no experience in probing. And, I'm a little worried that I will misinterpret the sex by looking at the tails b/c of inexperience.

Can anyone guess at the sex of the Cal King and (RuthXThayeri) X (Pyro) by looking at the pictures? I will post the second snake below this post.

Nice to be here on the forum. Thanks for all of the invaluable information I've learned already from you guys.

Here is the (RuthXThayeri) X Pyro.

When I bought her, I was told she was female. I hope she is, we named her Diana (after the goddess of nature[wildlife]). By the way, the Cal. King is named Darwin. So I sure hope it is a male.

This one looks female to me. The other one is hard to tell from that picture, but if I had to guess, I would lean toward female on it, too. It would be helpful (maybe) if you could post another close-up of the underside of the back half of the Cal-King...it looks like a small snake, very hard to tell anything from that picture.

Doooooode!! , those sure are some peerrrty snakes! man,
I’d just go with if one tail tapers faster than the other?
or get some one who know's what they are doing(and learn)to
probe
hey newherp-dog ,tell me about that substrate your using with
that 50-50? that look's "fat" "tight" "sweeeet"....ha
I want to hear what you say about it ,I might change my 50's
to that stuff -it compliments the color of the snake immensely!

Would you guys also look at my post on the milksnake forum. I needed sexing help there also, plus, it is a BEAUTIFUL Albino Nelson.

OldHerper, I'll get a photo when my wife gets home and someone can help hold Darwin (might have to have a female with a male name). Actually, the Ruth/Thayeri/Pyro is half as small as the Cal King, so it's interesting that you point out the Cal's small size. The Cal King is about 12 inches, and the Pyro/Thayeri/Ruth is 10 inches.

The substrate is Reptilite Calcium based sand. After leaving all my new snakes on newspaper, and then carpet (which you see with the Ruth/Thayeri/Pyro), I needed something more pleasing to my eyes, and something I felt mimicked a Cal King's natural DESERT home. So, I found the reptilite calcium sand. THEY LOVE IT! Easy to clean...just scoop out the poop after it dries. Change sand every 4-6 months depending on smell, defecation etc. They all love to bury in it. My Ruth/Thayeri/Pyro has buried completely and stayed buried for almost 3 days at a time. She seems to love it immensely. They also use their bodies to shape it and build up certain areas, I believe in an attempt to regulate surface temp. I find patterns that coincide with my undertank heaters. Anyway, they carry it at the local pet shop. One of the calcium sands is has really big particles...I didn't like that. But this sand has really really really fine particles. Almost "dusty." The snakes seem to love it, so I'm sticking with it until they act differently.

i agree. does he/she burrow alot in it?

Old Herper,

I apologize if it is inappropriate to ask a Milksnake question on the Kingsnake side, but I posted this also on the Milksnake forum. Mind guessing at my albino Nelson? Looks to be male to me...what do you think?

I would guess male on that one. Beautiful snake, by the way.

Bear in mind that these are just educated guesses on the sexes. It's really very difficult to tell for sure without being able to check the snake in person and maybe probe it.

Thanks...isn't that a beautiful Alb. Nelson? Picked him up at the last reptile show...only one there.

I realize it's only a guess. I had guessed the same sexes you have, but I wanted someone's opinion who is far more experieneced than I.

I'm not sure how accurate it is, but I also tried the "count the scales method." I'm not sure if this method has restrictions based on age though. But, by that method, all the guesses are correct.

I feel sure I could probe a snake, given my background in biology and anatomy, and I do not mean to be arrogant. I'm just hesitant to try. I'm going to read as extensively as I can on it, and attempt it.

Thanks for your kindness and help. I'm enjoying the forum immensely.