PLEASE HELP if you're an experienced breeder.

[M&J in NC]

I'd like opinions from any and all experienced breeders and/or keepers. If that's not you, and you don't have any helpful comments then PLEASE just go to the next thread. I need help and I don't know what else to do.

I'll give you the short version. We bought this ball thinking she was a female. Her gender was not confirmed at the time of sale because I only know how to pop, and she was too big and thick for me personally to pop. We have since taken her to a local semi-exotic pet store that also sells snakes, and had her probed by the store owner. His probe bottomed out at 3/4'' and he called her a MALE. Prior to having her probed I was reading everything I could find regarding probing. The things that I read suggest that a male of this size (4' long and 1587 grams) would be probed between 2.5 to 3 inches deep, and females as deep as 1 inch. If that's true, then wouldn't that make her female?

I have an idea. I know it's a long shot, and I know I may be grasping at straws, but I don't know what else to do.

I have a book that says some experienced breeders/keepers can determine the sex of a snake by factoring the age, size and weight of the snake, and then the size and distance from the snake's cloaca to the tip of the tail. If that's true, and you're one of those people, I would really appreciate your help. My BP is 10-years-old, 4' long and 1587 grams. It's 3.75'' for the cloaca to the tip of the tail.

So what do you think, male or female?



Thank you very much for your time.

[SatanicIntention]

We generally go by scale lengths. Females can probe anywhere between 3-5 scale depths and males are anything over that, 7-10 or more. Go by the scales on the tail, get someone to probe the snake, put their finger where the probe stops(on the probe itself) and lay it up against the underside of the tail. If it's 3/4", it could be female.

Make sure to probe both sides.

[M&J in NC]

get someone to probe the snake

I don't know anyone experienced in probing. There are 5 scales within the first 3/4'' past her cloaca. BTW. This is a current pic, taken 30 minutes ago.

[Bill Buchman]

I pop everything rather than probe -- regardless of size. Do a utube search. There are many popping videos. Large balls will pop. You just need to apply a smidge more pressure.

[rabernet]

I pop everything rather than probe -- regardless of size. Do a utube search. There are many popping videos. Large balls will pop. You just need to apply a smidge more pressure.

Agreed, I pop everything from babies to years old adults. It does take more pressure, but I personally find the adults far easier to pop than the younger ones.

[kylesreptiles]

If the probe only went 3/4" in then it appears from the pic its a female because its only 5 scales deep at 3/4". You are the one with the snake and can look better just see how many scales down is 3/4" and you have your answer like satanicintention said 3-5 female 7-10 male.

[wolfy-hound]

The "length of tail" and such really is not reliable. If the probe was 3/4 inch.. according to your pic, it should be a female.

Without being there to probe/pop it in person, it's nearly impossible to say though. I wish you good luck though! Maybe it is a girl!

[rabernet]

Where in NC are you? You can PM me if you prefer. I'm going to be in the Greensboro area the week of Memorial Day and would be happy to meet you somewhere in the area and sex your snake for you if you'd like.

[CWalker]

Where in NC are you? You can PM me if you prefer. I'm going to be in the Greensboro area the week of Memorial Day and would be happy to meet you somewhere in the area and sex your snake for you if you'd like.

Yet another reason why I love this site community...as if I needed another reason!

[M&J in NC]

Thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate all your time. Well, I tried popping her again (for the 10th time) and this time I applied just enough pressure. She turned out to be a male. No doubt!

Thanks again,
Michael