Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I received a group of breeder age Kenyans yesterday.

One of them was a male anery.

He weighted 460 grams and is 20" or so (the length is a guess, the weight was not).

I spoke with the woman I purchased them from and apparently he has sired at least one litter.

I'm hoping to find someone to probe him at the Dixie Reptile Show in Birmingham in a couple of weeks but was wondering if anyone else has a large male KSB and how big they can really get.

Pictures forthcoming..........
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Mark Huntley
Sand Boa Morphs

Kenyan Sand Boa's
4.1 Rufescens
3.2 Albinos
0.2 Dodoma
4.2 Normal (orange)
2.5 Anery
0.1 Snow
2.2 Hopeful Yellow Snow
0.1 Splash Albino
1.0 Splash Anery
1.0 Orange Stripe 100% Het Anery
2.0 High Orange Stripe
1.0 Yellow Stripe
0.4 High Orange Tiger
2.2 High Orange
2.3 Boston Terriers
0.2 Sooners
8.30 Rhode Island Reds
0.0.15 Tropical Fish
0.1 Moody Wives
1.1 On the fence in-laws
2.1 Rug Rats

Wow. I have seen big some big males, but most of mine fall in the 125-175g range (I think... it has been a long time since I weighed a male). I have had males breed at 50g.

If you post a photo of the vent/tail we can probably sex the snake that way.

-Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

Here it is....he/she weighed 460 grams last night. Can you tell me what the vent should look like for a male or female?

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Mark Huntley
Sand Boa Morphs

Kenyan Sand Boa's
4.1 Rufescens
3.2 Albinos
0.2 Dodoma
4.2 Normal (orange)
2.5 Anery
0.1 Snow
2.2 Hopeful Yellow Snow
0.1 Splash Albino
1.0 Splash Anery
1.0 Orange Stripe 100% Het Anery
2.0 High Orange Stripe
1.0 Yellow Stripe
0.4 High Orange Tiger
2.2 High Orange
2.3 Boston Terriers
0.2 Sooners
8.30 Rhode Island Reds
0.0.15 Tropical Fish
0.1 Moody Wives
1.1 On the fence in-laws
2.1 Rug Rats

Mark,

I am not looking at the vent as much as the length and shape of the tail. Females tails tend to be shorter, and taper more quickly. Males tails tend to be longer and thicker post vent.

These are not the best pictures, but they are the only ones I could find with a male/female of similar size.

Snake of the left is female, snake on the right is male. Note the male has larger spurs as well.

As far as your sand boa goes, I am leaning toward it being a male.... to me the tail length/shape says male. I checked a few of my adult males and they all have larger spurs than the one in your photo though. It is harder to judge from the photo than I had thought... maybe others will chime in with their opinion.

-Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

I'm actually having this same problem. I picked up a younger female around 12" and the tale is saying male but the spurs are almost not existant. I'm guessing time will tell.
Mark

Personally, I would not rely on the spurs alone. In my experience tail length/shape is usually a pretty good characteristic.

-Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

Keep in mind that "fat" snakes are not necessarily healthy snakes!! I like the keep my males lean and mean, and really "fat" females don't always produce well (or at all)... Keep 'em healthy and if you are going to bred increase feeding a little before and during the first part of gestation. Often, healthy females will eat less or completely avoid feeding during the latter half of gestation.

Just my 2 cents...

-Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

I feel like I'm the king of the world!!!!

LOL...I was fine until you called him 'fat'.

Do snakes get fat? This guy is like 0% body fat, he's a big Middle Linebacker ready for a good time.

I guess I'll put him in with some ladies and a rufescen. If the litter has stripes I know it's not his and if he goes gravid and drops a litter then it's settled.

Any other ideas?
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Mark Huntley
Sand Boa Morphs

Kenyan Sand Boa's
4.1 Rufescens
3.2 Albinos
0.2 Dodoma
4.2 Normal (orange)
2.5 Anery
0.1 Snow
2.2 Hopeful Yellow Snow
0.1 Splash Albino
1.0 Splash Anery
1.0 Orange Stripe 100% Het Anery
2.0 High Orange Stripe
1.0 Yellow Stripe
0.4 High Orange Tiger
2.2 High Orange
2.3 Boston Terriers
0.2 Sooners
8.30 Rhode Island Reds
0.0.15 Tropical Fish
0.1 Moody Wives
1.1 On the fence in-laws
2.1 Rug Rats

I didn't say he was "fat", maybe he is just big boned...lol. Snakes can be over weight though. I have seen a number of burmese and reticulated pythons that are overweight, and occasionally see Boa constrictors that are over weight. I cannot say that I have seen sand boas that are "overweight" per se but it can happen.

As far as other sexing opinions go... You could probe him and/or attempt to "pop" him. Both of those techniques (especially the probing) should be done by a person with experience.

If "he" has babies..... problem solved.

-Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

Can we get a whole body shot?

-Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

Hey Mark can you post a pic of him/her with something in the pic for a size comparison? I'd love to check it out.
Thanks
Mark

Sorry Guys, I forgot to post my little guy.

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Mark Huntley
Sand Boa Morphs

Kenyan Sand Boa's
4.1 Rufescens
3.2 Albinos
0.2 Dodoma
4.2 Normal (orange)
2.5 Anery
0.1 Snow
2.2 Hopeful Yellow Snow
0.1 Splash Albino
1.0 Splash Anery
1.0 Orange Stripe 100% Het Anery
2.0 High Orange Stripe
1.0 Yellow Stripe
0.4 High Orange Tiger
2.2 High Orange
2.3 Boston Terriers
0.2 Sooners
8.30 Rhode Island Reds
0.0.15 Tropical Fish
0.1 Moody Wives
1.1 On the fence in-laws
2.1 Rug Rats

Nice snake and nice photo! I am sticking with one big male.

-Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

he has what looks to be a male tail to me.
although She also has a females body.
I would stay with an over weight male, most lickely not the best breeder. Too lazy
I'd put him on a diet asap.
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Steve Perry
North Idaho.

I will add that if he continues to grow, then he is a female. I do have a couple of females that have somewhat of a male tail.
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Steve Perry
North Idaho.