when what you thought was a male is actually a female

[versicolor]

Hey everyone. Not sure if this is the proper section for my situation. Sorry if it's not. So back in may I bought a group of balls from a very reputable breeder and had some very specific plans for each morph, obviously relying completely on what was male and what was female for offspring outcome, and I found out today that one that was sold to me as a male is actually a female. This clearly alters my breeding plans, which is very annoying, but something I am concerned about even more is the fact that my 800 gram male was locked up with this 800 gram surprise female.

This happened because I had the two "males" in a tub with a 1700 gram female at the same time, and when I got home from work today to check on them, the two "males" were 100% locked up. Absolutely no question about the lock either. So I kind of disturbed them so they would "unlock", which they did after a couple of minutes. And then I immediately removed her, sexed them both and was able to 100% verify that "he" is a she. It being that I am new to breeding, what I'm wondering about is the possible consequences of this very undersized female being bred? Is it possible for such a small female to even be fertilized? and if so, what happens if she produces? will it kill her? What exactly am I looking at dealing with here?

And lastly, what should I do about the fact that she was sold to me as a male? Is this a common occurrence and one that I just need to say "oh well this kind of thing happens"? Or should I contact the breeder for some kind of resolution? Any advice from more experienced keepers/breeders would be very much appreciated. Thanks for the help.

[1nstinct]

Well if you paid male price congrats. This is the reason I check every snake when I get them, and then check when their are done with quarantine.

[HerpIsAhobby]

With the deal happening so long ago at this point, there isn't much to be done about the sexing mistake probably. Most breeders will make it right if caught soon after. Other than that being a female instead of a male, price wise works to your favor. I know it puts a kink in your plans, but an extra female is never a problem.

Don't worry about the lock either, most animals know their reproductive capabilities far better than we do and she'll be fine. Mind if I ask why there were two "males" in with the female? Were you hoping to spark one of them to breed through fighting/competition?

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[interloc]

For next time, DO NOT DISTURB A LOCK. You can damage both party's.

K now down to business. Really its up to the female weather she wants to lay eggs or not. Just because you got a lock doesn't mean eggs 100%. I would say she will make whatever call she is ready for. I wouldn't worry too much. I would be stoked to find out that info. I had the inverse happen to me. Bought a "female" pastel. Haha not. Male. Oops. Live and learn. I always bring a probe kit and some line with me if I'm getting a snake from a stranger now. Best of luck man!


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[versicolor]

Well if you paid male price congrats. This is the reason I check every snake when I get them, and then check when their are done with quarantine.

Understood. I agree that is what should be done. But one of the reasons I acquired most of my snakes from such a well respected and reputable breeder is because I am admittedly not experienced at sexing yet, and so my reliance on the skills of the breeder in this area is vital to the assurance of what I thought I was purchasing. I spent a rather large sum of money on this group of snakes from a very experienced high caliber breeder, and feel that I should be able to have peace of mind about the accuracy of sexing. I'm not angry about it, as you said I did ultimately get a female for a male price, and the snake in question is not exactly a "high value" morph so it will not turn out to be as costly and detrimental of a mistake as it could have been. However, some of the morphs I bought were high dollar, so I'm a little worried about the possibility that some of them may not be what they were sold as. And regardless of value, it does put a bit of a kink in my original plans, and it does still now put this female at risk for I don't know what.

[coldbloodaddict]

I would definitely contact the breeder...Time shouldn't matter if you can prove it's the same snake they sold you...

Did you get any photo id, or do you have any pics from the sellers ad so you can prove it's the same snake?

[Flikky]

Sometimes males will lock with males for dominance ..

[versicolor]

With the deal happening so long ago at this point, there isn't much to be done about the sexing mistake probably. Most breeders will make it right if caught soon after. Other than that being a female instead of a male, price wise works to your favor. I know it puts a kink in your plans, but an extra female is never a problem.

Don't worry about the lock either, most animals know their reproductive capabilities far better than we do and she'll be fine. Mind if I ask why there were two "males" in with the female? Were you hoping to spark one of them to breed through fighting/competition?

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Yes, I have been putting one male in with the female for 2 months now and have yet to witness a sure lock, so I decided to introduce another male to try to get some more interest going on in there. But the other male I introduced happens to be a female.

[versicolor]

For next time, DO NOT DISTURB A LOCK. You can damage both party's.

K now down to business. Really its up to the female weather she wants to lay eggs or not. Just because you got a lock doesn't mean eggs 100%. I would say she will make whatever call she is ready for. I wouldn't worry too much. I would be stoked to find out that info. I had the inverse happen to me. Bought a "female" pastel. Haha not. Male. Oops. Live and learn. I always bring a probe kit and some line with me if I'm getting a snake from a stranger now. Best of luck man!


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I thought about that after I disturbed them. Rookie mistake I guess. I was a little bit panicked when I saw the lock. They both seem to be fine though so I think I lucked out.

[versicolor]

I would definitely contact the breeder...Time shouldn't matter if you can prove it's the same snake they sold you...

Did you get any photo id, or do you have any pics from the sellers ad so you can prove it's the same snake?

I have a bill of sale specifying the transaction with details of what exactly I purchased, and the container that the snake arrived in clearly id'ing the snake as male. I also have video of when they arrived and me pulling out the containers one by one etc. What would I do at this point though? I'm not sure what I would even expect as a resolution should I decide to contact the guy.