Some, but not all, species of boas can be sexed by a combination of spur shape, configuration, and size. Boa constrictors are probably the most notable because of the considerable structural differences of the spurs betweens males and females. Even newborn boas can be accurately sexed by their spurs with proper magnification and extensive practice. Other species of boas show sexual differences that are more subtle, but still observable with practice.

However, the majority of python species cannot be spur sexed with certainty due to the frequent similarity of shape and size between males and females. Ball pythons are most notable for this, as I have seen very large spurs on females and very small spurs on males. It is not uncommon at all for adult male and female specimens of ball pythons to have spurs that look almost identical. Usually only older adult specimens of the larger python species can be spur sexed with certainty.

Kelly

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