Birth defect...Ball python, unknow gender.

[Alex1989]

I recently got a ball from a reptile store, I don't know if its male or female, he or she has a birth defect at the tip of its tail where it curls back and inward a little, Ive been told he or she cannot breed nore be sexed. I wanted to know what exact of normal breed she or he is and if there is a way to determine what it is a male or female. I will add a like shortly of a photo of my ball and his or her birth defect.

[pookie!]

So you want to know the sex but it cant be sexed by hand? Is that correct?
You could maybe contact a herp vet in your area and get a dna test or something done..?
Hope this helps and I understood the question correctly, best of luck!

¡ERMAGHERD A DERK!

[RoseyReps]

Edit: NVM you got it

Hard to see the tail defect though

[Kaorte]

looks like a normal. Can you get a better picture of the tail? Unless it is a severe kink, it can probably be sexed.

[snakesRkewl]

dna test

Ball pythons dna hasn't been sequenced, so how is that going to work?

It's a normal, there is many thousands, maybe 10's of thousands of excellent normals out there to breed, why even consider a kinked normal?

[WarriorPrincess90]

dna test

Ball pythons dna hasn't been sequenced, so how is that going to work?

It's a normal, there is many thousands, maybe 10's of thousands of excellent normals out there to breed, why even consider a kinked normal?

I imagine a blood test would be more effective. They could likely test hormone levels and the like to make an educated guess as to the sex of the snake.

And I don't think the OP was talking about breeding. Simply restating what they were told - that the snake could not be sexed nor could it ever breed. Evidently, since they purchased the snake anyway, breeding was not a priority. Rather, they just liked the snake.

[pookie!]

dna test

Ball pythons dna hasn't been sequenced, so how is that going to work?

It's a normal, there is many thousands, maybe 10's of thousands of excellent normals out there to breed, why even consider a kinked normal?

I meant blood lol sorry.

¡ERMAGHERD A DERK!

[Alex1989]

I don't plan on breeding him or her, i rescued him/her because that's how i am. its a sweet snake..so why let it be neglected or killed for its problem.

[Alex1989]

Edit: NVM you got it

Hard to see the tail defect though

Heres a better photos

[xFenrir]

It's a damn shame you can't breed him/her, 'cause look at those flames! I'd be curious as to what that would prove out to.

Then again at the very least it's a very pretty normal. Although I wonder if that tail kink is near his/her vent, and if that would cause any problems for it to go to the bathroom?