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Sold to me as a female, perhaps I'm over analyzing but I feel that it is a male. Anybody else have opinions?

At this size (while comparing to your hand) this mali has to
be at least subadult size as I'm guessing upwards of three
years old - at minimum.

The femoral pores are often difficult to try to sex them by
at this time of year with any true accuracy as there's not a
lot of diff between adult males and females as far as pore
size, color and contrast. As the winter temps and climate
cool, they begin to slow down - not only in courting and
chasing but also in their physical appearances as well as
less colors displayed for the next few months. So no more
waxy pores or larger bulges till the coming spring. They
are at this time thinking more of the climate changes and
slowing/cooling down for the mid winter months.
Ain't nature just wonderful!

Also, what appears to resemble hemipenile bulges could
simply be tail base muscles not related to male bulges.
In addition, its dorsal color/pattern shown is also female
like at this age.

Her ventral side is lacking any striping or marbling as most
males would surely begin to display by this age/size instead
of this white/patternless bottom throughout.

Lastly, from the angle you show its head, it appears female
like to me as it looks to be narrow and also lacks the
enlarged jowls, hence - the cobra shaped head which most
males would have begun to develop by this size/age.

Besides Death and Taxes, hemipeni or eggs are a sure thing!

Just my two cents worth,

John

Thanks, I got in touch with Doug Dix of deerfern farms and he believes it to be female as well.