Carpet Python - Probe Depth?

So...finally had someone come over to help probe the big carpet python. I was told it was a female when I got it.

It probed 9 scales deep :(

I was so hoping it WAS a female.

Anyway, how deep are should a male or female carpet probe? I'm having a hard time finding the info.

I think 6 is the stopping point for female. If it's 6 I would reprobe. 9 is a definite male, IF you have a person very experienced probing carpets. Not saying it was done incorrectly, it's just I've heard of several people puncturing the wall and probing male while injuring a female not knowing any different.

Well, at least you got her for the price of a male :P

Bummer sucks when it turns out your shes a he. Well hopfully it will turn out female after all.

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Originally Posted by DavidG

I think 6 is the stopping point for female. If it's 6 I would reprobe. 9 is a definite male, IF you have a person very experienced probing carpets. Not saying it was done incorrectly, it's just I've heard of several people puncturing the wall and probing male while injuring a female not knowing any different.

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David, I'll have to disagree with you here. Probing is NOT 100% accurate at any depth. I have a 2001 Biak female that was sold to me as a male at 2.5 years old. I raised it, cycled it, paired it up with several female chondros and nothing. I probed just to make sure......11 scales deep. To make a long story short, "he" has produced two clutches of eggs for me. lol.

The only 100% accurate method of sexing is reproduction. Even two males of some species will court each other, as will females simulating a copulating male.

In my opinion a depth of 9 should be male but there are also other telling factors such as, size, body shape, spur size, feeding habits, etc. Again, it's not always 100% but it doesn't hurt to add everything up. I've been pretty accurate with raising all my chondros up and visually sexing them by appearance and behavior.

At this point, the best thing to do would be get a fresh shed from another male and see how the snake reacts.

Good luck.

Also, if you pop a snake and it has hemipenes, you can be 100% sure it is a male

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Originally Posted by Brandon Osborne

David, I'll have to disagree with you here. Probing is NOT 100% accurate at any depth. I have a 2001 Biak female that was sold to me as a male at 2.5 years old. I raised it, cycled it, paired it up with several female chondros and nothing. I probed just to make sure......11 scales deep. To make a long story short, "he" has produced two clutches of eggs for me. lol.

The only 100% accurate method of sexing is reproduction. Even two males of some species will court each other, as will females simulating a copulating male.

In my opinion a depth of 9 should be male but there are also other telling factors such as, size, body shape, spur size, feeding habits, etc. Again, it's not always 100% but it doesn't hurt to add everything up. I've been pretty accurate with raising all my chondros up and visually sexing them by appearance and behavior.

At this point, the best thing to do would be get a fresh shed from another male and see how the snake reacts.

Good luck.

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Interesting, I'll have to try it the male shed thing.

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

Also, if you pop a snake and it has hemipenes, you can be 100% sure it is a male

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Hehe, he's 7 1/2 feet long. I don't think my popping skills are quite up to par for this one.

i dont think anyone could pop a carpet that large.... they aren't like ball pythons.

personally, i've never heard of anyone puncturing the sheeth by going to far, thus making a female a male. it could happen i guess, but you'd have to really be reefin' on it. as far as tail length and spur size... i've got detailed notes of all my carpets and there is zero uniformity in regards to spurs and tail length.

that's a big male, maybe the previous owners assumed it was a female due to the size.