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Question regarding sexing ball pythons

Posted By:

Shawn

I have two sub adult ball pythons. I am planning on a breeding project with them soon and want to sex them. I belive that they are both females based on tail size (short) but im not completly sure. I have read that probing is not reliable for ball pythons becaues the probs go in the same distance for males and females. They both have spurs but they appear small, however I dont have any confirmed males to compare with. If anyone could post pictures of each sex or give me details Id really appreciate it.

Regards,

Shawn

Attached Photos:


Points:	100
Topics:	General Health
Tags:	Sexing
Species:	Pythons > Pythons > Python regius
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Assisted Answer

1/24/2009 10:38:56 PM

dalvers63

Ball pythons probe just fine, at least I've had no trouble doing it. Females usually probe no deeper than 5 and most boys go 8 or more scales.

If it's something you haven't done before, I'd suggest hooking up with someone to learn how. It's not difficult however you can hurt the snake if you're not careful.

Accepted Answer

1/24/2009 11:55:36 PM

amarilrose

I agree with Deb; Ball Pythons probe just fine. Determining gender by tail proportions or spur morphology is not reliable in this species.

The biggest thing I have heard about factors that may confound probing to determine gender in any species is whether the correct size probe is used; if the probe is too small, it could easily pass more deeply into a female's "blind pouch," which I roughly understand is conical in shape... leaving you thinking you've got a male when it is really a female. If a probe that is too big is used, you might think you have a female when you really have a male. Also, if the person doing the probing is not familiar with what they are doing, they can puncture too deeply into the animal (though I have only heard of this in females, I don't know that it couldn't also be done to a male).
Talk to a breeder who probes his animals regularly and/or a competent reptile vet about probing your animals, and see if you can get them to teach you about it.

Member Comment

1/25/2009 2:54:04 AM

bwaffa

Yeah, I uhh... Man. I have nothing left to say. Deb and Rebecca are right on, as usual.

Member Comment

1/25/2009 9:09:52 AM

sparky

I like "popping" them. There is a decent video on youtube on it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMqN402TiVg&feature=related.

Assisted Answer

1/25/2009 10:50:37 AM

amarilrose

The method referred to as "popping" is typically thought of as fairly reliable for hatchlings. People who use this method to sex adult animals are in the low percentage... as in, most people don't do this for adults. If you look through some of the old threads in the archive for the kingsnake.com Ball Python forum, there have been multiple discussions of this, including multiple concerns raised over the use of this method in adult animals. Either way, the reliability of this method for determining an animal's gender is largely based on the skill of the handler.

Popping, like probing, is something you should really be taught by an experienced professional (handle popping an adult and popping a hatchling as two separate procedures to learn), because both probing and popping sexing methods could seriously harm your animal if you don't know what you are doing.

Member Comment

1/25/2009 2:33:17 PM

PythonPassion

I agree with amarilrose. Once baby ball pythons reach the age of 2 weeks old, they have decent muscle control, and sometimes the males won't evert their hemipenes when they are "popped." So in fact, you may have a male but think it is a female if you rely on popping at this age. Popping is best done within two weeks after hatching (I prefer to pop them when they come out of the egg); any later than this and the popping may or may not be accurate. And absolutely take the snake(s) to someone who knows what they are doing the first time, so they can explain/demonstrate it--whether it's popping or probing.

Member Comment

1/26/2009 8:32:36 AM

sparky

The video shows probing also

Member Comment

1/29/2009 5:27:51 AM

hybrid

"Popping" can cause serious damage to a snake if not done properly. I dont suggest doing so! Ball pythons are amongst the easiest snakes to determine sex. Simply look at the length from tail tip to vent. If its short distance then more than likely a female. The long the distance the more pronounce the male is. Hope this helps!

Member Comment

10/4/2010 5:05:49 PM

dalvers63

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