Gather Round kids, It's story time.

[Kaorte]

Funny story.

So, about 3 and a half years ago I purchased a female spider ball python at NARBC Tinley. She was from a reputable breeder that did not specialize in ball pythons, but she was an exceptionally nice looking spider, so I went for it. She has been a great snake and at 1200g, I thought she might be ready to breed this fall.

This past month she has been completely refusing food. She would sniff it.. wobble intensely, then back away. I don't understand!!! So close to the 1500g mark I am willing to do anything to get her to eat. We've tried live, f/t, various sizes, changing her tub, adding crumpled paper...Nothing.

So today I try pairing her with my male pinstripe to see if that might jump start her.


I guess in a way it did.


I hear thrashing in the tub. They are indeed combatting like two males. I pull out my "female" spider and probe her. Sure enough, MALE!!!!!

I don't know why I didn't probe sooner!!! All these years I have been calling him Charlotte. It feels so strange now that I know she is actually a he!! Its like one of your best girl friends comes up to you one day and confesses she is actually a he!

So now it looks like I will only be having 3 possible clutches this season. Darn!! I was really hoping to make some bees or spinners or something! What a bummer!!

So, any name suggestions for my now male Spider?

[Knytemare]

Dam that's got to suck haha. What a disappointment. As for the name, no idea, i'm bad with names haha

[ktaylor89]

How about Charley? Its pretty close to charolette LOL. I know how you feel. I just found out that my 2000+ g pastel is a male!! I thought my spider was stupid and couldn't figure out what to do. Turns out he just doesn't like guys!!! I also found out that my citrus pastel is also a male so now I have one 150g normal female and 5 MALES!!! UGH... so frustrating but a beginners mistake on my part...

[Kaorte]

I already have a cat named charlie... Might get confusing XD

Considering calling him Spiderman so I never forget his gender. LOL


As for beginner mistakes, this was probably a beginner mistake on my part. I was relatively new to the hobby when I bought him and I didn't know how to probe or pop at the time.

Oh well!!

[arialmt]

Chuck.

[Andybill]

Chuck.

This was what I was going to say.... How bout Peter?

[Kaorte]

This was what I was going to say.... How bout Peter?

My pewter is named peter!

Haha I have so many snakes to name, all the cool ones are taken

[1nstinct]

This is the reason before i buy a snake the breeder needs to pop the snake infront of me, then before i leave their table i pop it my self sorry for the bad luck, how about Jake?

[Kinra]

That sucks.

All these stories about females turning out to be males makes me think I should learn to prob so I can check all of 1000+ gram "girls".

I like the name spiderman. I think it's fitting.

[Kaorte]

That sucks.

All these stories about females turning out to be males makes me think I should learn to prob so I can check all of 1000+ gram "girls".

I like the name spiderman. I think it's fitting.

When I get home I am probing everyone.

The thing is, I could have sworn I already probed everyone!! Guess not D:

It is super easy to learn. I should have brought my kit to the show and taught you! its really hard to do wrong unless you apply too much pressure.

- - - Updated - - -

This is the reason before i buy a snake the breeder needs to pop the snake infront of me, then before i leave their table i pop it my self sorry for the bad luck, how about Jake?

I wish I would have known better! Now I always have the snake sexed before I leave, and when I get home I probe before they go into QT.