Quote Originally Posted by alopez700 View Post
from the herpetocultural library ball python book "Both sexes of ball pythons have large cloacal spurs. in most abult specimens, the spurs of intact males are larger and have a more inward hook then the spurs of females. however, the spursof older adult male ball pythons are often worn, there tips blunt and rounded, and sometimes they appear smallerthen the spurs of a female of similar size." but they r right about 2 things use a lubricated porb and get some that know what there r doing.
This book was published in 1997, when the ball python craze was just getting started.

Since then, we've learned a LOT more about the anatomy of ball pythons. Check out Kevin McCurley's book as well as VPI's book for more recent information.