Paint markers?

[moonlightgdess]

I've been seeing/reading some breeders use a small bit of paint marker on their snakes when they breed them to tell two apart that look very similar. Has anyone done this? All I can find are oil based markers, would those be bad for scales? I'm thinking of ball pythons specifically, I've got some hets that look near identical. Thanks!

[JodanOrNoDan]

I've never had a male and female I couldn't tell apart however I suppose it is possible for them to seem similar. What you can do is take a picture of the top of the head and neck. The pattern there usually differs enough to identify a specific animal unless it is a BEL. I wouldn't rely on anything that is "painted" on the snake, even if you could find something that works safely it is likely to come off.

[PitOnTheProwl]

The dorsal stripe is their finger print.
If they are that close together then do on their feeding cards (..-~) or whatever resembles their markings.