Male or female?

r96rgrl · #1 (**permalink**) 06-11-2005, 02:26 AM

Is there anyway to tell them apart? I just got a new bp and would like to name him or her but I'm not sure of the sex. This is my first snake and I just found out that it is a ball python, guy at the pet store was obviously clueless and didn't know the difference in boas and pythons, anyway any help would be appreciated..

SoberGuy · #2 (**permalink**) 06-11-2005, 02:32 AM

The only real way to tell is by probing, which you don't want to do yourself. The best thing is to wait for him to defecate, stick it in a sealed container in the fridge (not the freezer, not the garage) and make a vet appointment with an experienced reptile vet. (We can even help you find one in your area.) Just tell the vet you have a stool sample you want checked for parasites, you want the vet to look at the general health of the ball, and you want it probed. I'm not 100% positive about my ball python, since I haven't had him probed yet, but he has extremely well pronounced anal spurs, which are a decent indicator, I think at least. Anyway, just go to the vet, that way you knock out a few birds with one stone.

r96rgrl · #3 (**permalink**) 06-11-2005, 03:13 AM

I will do that...although there probably aren't any good reptile vets around my area......I will defanitely check into it though. Thank you for the advice and help.

Allison

SoberGuy · #4 (**permalink**) 06-11-2005, 03:24 AM

http://www.anapsid.org/vets/oklahoma.html

brownsfan222 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-11-2005, 06:32 PM

if u have more than one snake than take them all because i had 3 snakes and taking them all at the same time saved money

lethargiic · #6 (**permalink**) 06-11-2005, 08:23 PM

ok with ball pythons..
big spurs = most likely a male
small spurs = probably female..

but as soberguy said... get the snake probed by either a reptile experienced vet or a local breeder.

Roastbeef · #7 (**permalink**) 06-12-2005, 06:13 AM

Another way to guess it tail size. Short and fat is female and long slender is male. Not very accurate though, but I know a lot of people that go by it.

LdyDrgn · #8 (**permalink**) 06-12-2005, 11:40 PM

My females have good sized spurs and that males are small... so that is not a good indicator. Probing is the most accurate way.

r96rgrl · #9 (**permalink**) 06-13-2005, 09:27 PM

Thanks for all the advice and help everyone

r96rgrl · #10 (**permalink**) 06-13-2005, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoberGuy

http://www.anapsid.org/vets/oklahoma.html

Ok, This is what I found on this site "Males have longer spurs than do the females; males also have smaller heads than the females." That was under BP....Still doesn't help me much I only have one bp so I can't really compare, I am going to get him/her a check-up soon and then I should have an answer...lol

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