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Does anyone have pictures that compare male and female spurs?

Thanks.

...just this morning I was holding one of my males and twice he gouged me with his spurs. No blood or anything but they're sharp!

There is an obvious difference. Once you've seen male spurs, it seems as if females don't even have them.

So, if you can obviously notice spurs, there's a high probability of a male. If you have to look carefully for spurs, probably female. Is that what you are saying?

Thanks for the reply.

K

By the time you have a yearling pair, you should be able to notice the difference.

I don't have pics, but I can say that there is a big difference.This year I have had 100 % succes on about 120 babies just by feeling the spurs with my fingers. We did that with a friend and probed them to confirm my statements .

The photos below are from green anacondas but the spur structure is very similar to boa constrictors and plenty close enough for comparison. The first two shots are of a female of approximately 10 feet. The spur is short and close to conical shaped, with only a slight curve to it on one side, and no hook at the end. They are almost completely recessed on a boid of this size and maturity, and the surrounding scales must be pushed back to make it completely visible. The last photo is of a male approximately 8 feet in length. The scales do not need to be pushed back as the spur structure is almost completely external in males. The male spur is as long or longer than it is wide at the base, and with an obvious curved hook shape. Some very young males will have partially recessed spurs as well. This makes the question not the presence or absence of spurs, but the actual structure or shape of the spur itself when using them to determine sex. Zenzinia is correct in that even boas a few days old can be 100% accurately spur sexed with practice. I however do this with a 10 power binocular scope so as to be able to see the exact shape of the spur. It's pretty tough to spur sex a week old boa with the naked eye.

Kelly

Those were very helpful.

Thanks again.

to sex newborn babies, I prefer the rub method. I have had 100% accurate results with the rub method. It is so easy and quick and not invasive at all.
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