Need Serious Opinions on STRANGE "object" that my male ball python "passed"

OK, this "thing" was found in my ball python's tub this evening. I have no idea what to think of it. Here's two pics of what I found in the tub. More descriptions and pics to follow these first pics.

http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/q...ect_021011.jpg

http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/q...t_021011_a.jpg

Now, some descriptions. There was a normal solid waste and "pee" in the tub. No real amount of blood in the tub, but there is some small amount of blood on the vent area of the python. Here's the elimination (weird object removed):

http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/q...t_021011_c.jpg

And here's the vent area (sorry, it's a little washed out by the flash):

http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/q...t_021011_b.jpg

The area above the vent seems puffy, like there is something else in there. I have probed this python and it is male, and was also sold to me as male by a reputable breeder. He has also locked up with a female this breeding season and I've caught him doing normal male courtship activities.

Now, some description of the "object": it seems to be "anatomical". It does not seem like a foreign object. It also seems to have vessels on it. I would describe it as a very thin, yet stable (it did not rupture when I lifted it with tongs) connective tissue-like sac. It is full of an aqueous fluid, with no air inside. The fluid does not seem viscous. There is NO odor coming from this thing either. I did not rupture it because I plan to take it into the vet office with the python tomorrow. There does NOT seem to be ANY indication that this "object" was once attached to the python's anatomy...no tear, no other 'tissue", no structure that would indicate an entry/exit into/out of the "object, nothing! Here are some closer pics of the "object":

http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/q..._Object008.jpg

http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/q...t_021011_d.jpg

Other that some "puffy" feeling as described above, the python seems fine.

PLEASE, don't just reply, "Take it to the Vet!". I fully intend to do that, but have to wait until the morning. BUT, if ANYONE has any insight whatsoever as to what the heck this is, I'd be eternally grateful to get info.

Much thanks in advance!

I have no idea, but that is crazy. Kind of looks like a translucent egg :O

My thoughts exactly Spitzu, but this is a male so that should not be possible. Or is it possible that during the lock something was introduced in the male's body and developed?
I don't get what happened here, very curious what the vet will say.

The "object was soft, and the casing was extremely thin. I don't believe it to be any sort of egg, from a snake (even considering that the animal may be hermaphrodite- don't even know if that is possible in BP).

Upon some more research, it may be part of a tape worm cycle :tears: Although, these parasites don't seem to be common in pythons??? Rodents are frequent carriers of them, though. Maybe ingested an infected meal??? It would be just the sort of thing to happen to me (I have the world's crappiest luck-seems like: if I touch it, it will go badly :mad: ).

He's still going to the vet tomorrow. I'm also having my husband (a microbiologist) take some of the pooh to the lab tomorrow to check it out under the scope (vet will also do that).

Anyone have tape worm issues with a ball python before??? Has anyone had an import have them. Anyone with one get them from their food?

that is not a tape worm. tape worms are flat and long. If I remember right they only infect mamals. That is just crazy. I want to know what the vet said. I take it back they can infect snakes but I know that is not a tapeworm

How SURE are you its a male?

That is fantastically interesting.

I have had no experience with such expulsions (hard stuff, yes, water bags no...), but will be watching to see what you find with the vet.

maybe its fat from the rats it has eaten, ya prolly not it but thats all i got.

there is another thread just like this one on here somewhere. not sure what the outcome was. and a hermaphrodite snake is possible from what i have read but is very rare. somebody on here had an old BP that one just popped out eggs.

Perhaps its really a female and its a premature egg...thats my guess but really I have no idea. Let us know when you find out!

Ive seen this 3 times now. 2 with corn snakes and one with ball python.

Its a female that has gone through menstrual cycle and laid slug. Should be more coming out soon unless shes smaller. its not uncommon for sexually mature females to do this especially colubrids.


Picture curtosy of janet aka Edfspythons.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...IMG_3857-1.jpg