Sexing snakes?

I own a ball python that I got as a rescue. I told the vet that it was male, because that's what I was told he was from the previous owner.. Now I am not so sure?

He is 48 inches long and weighs 1202 g. I have an appointment to get him sexed to find out for sure, but not for a few weeks.

I'm just curious, do any of you have large males or small females that could be confused for the opposite sex?


I've read that males generally stay between 3 and 3.75 feet in captivity. Could it just be the case of having a big boy? I was also told he is "Between 1 and four" from the person I got him from..

I've taken him to the vet for a check up before (check for mites, Respiratory infection, etc) because he was a rescue. He is in good health and is eating well.

Just curious I guess.

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Originally Posted by Pillzee

I own a ball python that I got as a rescue. I told the vet that it was male, because that's what I was told he was from the previous owner.. Now I am not so sure?

He is 48 inches long and weighs 1202 g. I have an appointment to get him sexed to find out for sure, but not for a few weeks.

I'm just curious, do any of you have large males or small females that could be confused for the opposite sex?


I've read that males generally stay between 3 and 3.75 feet in captivity. Could it just be the case of having a big boy? I was also told he is "Between 1 and four" from the person I got him from..

I've taken him to the vet for a check up before (check for mites, Respiratory infection, etc) because he was a rescue. He is in good health and is eating well.

Just curious I guess.

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Between... one and four feet??? More like between four and SIX. As for a way to visually sex ball pythons, that's not really gonna be a thing. Only way to know for sure is to probe or pop. If you've never done either before, wait for the professional and you can ask them to show you for future reference.

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Originally Posted by Lizardlicks

Between... one and four feet??? More like between four and SIX. As for a way to visually sex ball pythons, that's not really gonna be a thing. Only way to know for sure is to probe or pop.

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No one and four years of age. I am just curious as to how big males usually get, and if its really as uncommon as the books imply.

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Originally Posted by Pillzee

No one and four years of age. I am just curious as to how big males usually get, and if its really as uncommon as the books imply.

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OKAY THAT MAKES A LOT MORE SENSE LOL. Males do tend to be somewhat smaller than females of the same age and kept under the same conditions as full grown snakes, but without for sure knowing the age or husbandry of the previous owner, it's basically a big question mark. You could have a young, year old female or an older male, who knows!

Well, I am taking him.. Her... It to my vet in a few weeks to get him.. Her.. It sexed. I would love to eventually breed (some day when I'm rich and famous.) I will find out and let you know!!

Definitely have them show you how to do it yourself then, you'll need to be able to know how when you're trying to determine what the sex is on those future babies! Good luck!

That's very true! Luckily my sister works for a vet (not one that treats reptiles unfortunately. ) bit she knows good ones in the area so I am going to go there

Snakes will have individual growth rates. Not all males will stay smaller. I had a male last year that was a little over 4 1/2 ft. and weighed around 1600 grams.

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Originally Posted by jtipton

Snakes will have individual growth rates. Not all males will stay smaller. I had a male last year that was a little over 4 1/2 ft. and weighed around 1600 grams.

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That is very helpful! Thank you!

Good luck with the sexing!

I am currently having a bit of doubt (more than) about one and will have sex confirmed by a vet when I take them in a few weeks. Bought as a male, fed up like a male, go to pop him at 1 yr old and...Looks like a classic female?!?! That is when I realized I have never been able to pop this snake and just figured 'eh, not going to worry about it' and put him back. If it is female then woot woot, but there goes an important male. Oh well...not going to complain either way.