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PythonChick · #1 (**permalink**) 07-20-2002, 03:52 AM

When my BP was sold to me (about a year ago) they told me that they only carry males. (Which is really weird, b/c I've seen females of other snakes in there before). He does have pretty big spurs, but I've read recently that sometimes females can have the spurs too....even big ones. What's up with that?

So, when I go to the show this weekend I want to get a female to breed with him, but I want to make sure that he really is a HE.

Any suggestions? If I get the time tomorrow, I am going to bring "him" back to the herp shop and have them sex him again...just to make sure. But I am just really curious as to if the spurs really do work in sexing them, or if it's just a toss of the coin thing.

Thanks a lot!
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Heather · #2 (**permalink**) 07-20-2002, 04:07 AM

ok The best way to sex a snake is to probing but I would git it dun by a vet. See I know how to prob a snake.
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PythonChick · #3 (**permalink**) 07-20-2002, 04:31 AM

I assume that they probed him a while ago, but I just wanna make sure.

I've heard too many bad stories about a vet probing a snake and breaking through important thin tissues. I'd rather have my local herp guys do it for me. Just my .2 [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

I've included a picture (just took it). Maybe this can help?

Thanks!

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~June

CreepingDeath · #4 (**permalink**) 07-20-2002, 05:14 AM

nice looking ball python you got there. How big is he?
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Ed_r · #5 (**permalink**) 07-20-2002, 05:15 AM

Unfortunately on BPs it's very hard to visually sex them. the females have good sized spurs too. Probing is the only wat to tell. A vet should be able to do it if he/she deals with herps allot. I agree i wouldn't trust a Dog and cat vet to do it. Also Be careful letting your "local herp Guy" do it. I've quickly learned from my "supposed" reptile specialist that they usually are not all that they are cracked up to be.And Don't let him tell you that you can tell by "popping" it. This only works kinda on very newborns a week old or so. After about a month the snake is strong enough to alter the test.
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faze · #6 (**permalink**) 07-20-2002, 05:29 AM

esp. on balls the only way really is to probe them everyone is right all other tests could be wrong
unless you have a ball like the one that i had at the store(which is now in lori's daughters possesion" that like to just show you his hemipenes wheneverhe feels like you cant be sure unless you got one like that.... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

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<img src=http://photo.redtailboa.net/albums/faze/braincells.gif>

"there are only two things that are infinite. space, and human stupity.....im still not sure about space......"einstien

telefrag · #7 (**permalink**) 07-20-2002, 05:59 AM

Actually, I have known the best way to sex them is by popping them,
I have seen it done with babies all the way up to full grown adults,
and this seems to be the preffered method by pro breeders.

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Ed_r · #8 (**permalink**) 07-20-2002, 06:14 AM

LMAO @ Faze A little bit of an exhibitionist huh? Tele So far most people i know that had snakes sexed by popping were wrong. My male BP was told to me to be a female. And this is by a herp specialty store. I dont trust anyone that pops. Probing is the only sure way. Plus with popping if not done correctly the snake can be severely hurt. Granted the same can be done by a probe. But the probe is still more accurate.
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