Newbee question - about color change in females

[Andys-Python]

LOL well she's def a biak and a female

So.... She's definatly a female???? (Grinning from ear to ear) I was hoping she was!!!!!
curious.... What makes you say she's a female? Not that I don't believe you. I'm trying to learn here.

Andy

[tikigator]

If she's not, that is one HUGE male. I would have to see a perch photo that is the easiest way for me to tell....not something I can explain, it's just once you see a hundred or so chondros you start to see the differences between males and females. How they act how they feed how they perch etc. Not to say its 100% but I'm usually at about 98% and if you really want to know for sure simply look at her shed....see sperm plugs? If you do its a boy! And if you don't more than likely a girl

[Evenstar]

LOL well she's def a biak and a female but try closer to 3 YEARS! (edited I forgot you had had her for 6 months.....she could have been 18-24mths when you got her but def well over 2 yes now). She's a great looking girl!! And nice clean shed! Biaks can take the longest of any locale to change upto 3-4 yrs but she should be almost done if not completely done with her morph.

Totally agree with this. I had thought you'd said she was about 18 months old now - not that you'd gotten her at about that. So, yes, she's definitely closer to 2 1/2 to 3 years old. Gorgeous animal. I would get her a bigger cage though. That is looking a bit cramped.

If she's not, that is one HUGE male. I would have to see a perch photo that is the easiest way for me to tell....not something I can explain, it's just once you see a hundred or so chondros you start to see the differences between males and females. How they act how they feed how they perch etc. Not to say its 100% but I'm usually at about 98% and if you really want to know for sure simply look at her shed....see sperm plugs? If you do its a boy! And if you don't more than likely a girl

Well, I know many experienced chondro people can get a feel for the sex of an animal by observing it, but I've never met one who can sex an animal by simply seeing a few pictures. But I'm not saying you aren't correct and maybe you can see some key factors that say "girl" to you. But I would never try to sex an animal from a picture. Forgive me, I am in no way criticizing or arguing with you. Btw, my male is every bit this large, if not larger.......

Andy, do look at her shed for those sperm plugs, but do keep in mind, even the lack of plugs doesn't guarantee a female. My male sheds sperm plugs only about 70% of the time. She is a very pretty girl (Tikigator obviously has a lot of experience, so I'm assuming she really is a she, lol)!!

[tikigator]

Well, I know many experienced chondro people can get a feel for the sex of an animal by observing it, but I've never met one who can sex an animal by simply seeing a few pictures. But I'm not saying you aren't correct and maybe you can see some key factors that say "girl" to you. But I would never try to sex an animal from a picture. Forgive me, I am in no way criticizing or arguing with you. Btw, my male is every bit this large, if not larger.......

Andy, do look at her shed for those sperm plugs, but do keep in mind, even the lack of plugs doesn't guarantee a female. My male sheds sperm plugs only about 70% of the time. She is a very pretty girl (Tikigator obviously has a lot of experience, so I'm assuming she really is a she, lol)!!

Thats why I said a perch pic would help it can be pretty obvious male vs female when an adult is perching....although like I said i cannot of course guarantee. I have seen some very big overweight males that totally screamed female and ended up shedding plugs. But a healthy adult male are usually able to be distinguished, again multiple perch photos help. Feeding and behavior is also a good way to tell but obviously cant really do that over the computer

[Evenstar]

Thats why I said a perch pic would help it can be pretty obvious male vs female when an adult is perching....although like I said i cannot of course guarantee. I have seen some very big overweight males that totally screamed female and ended up shedding plugs. But a healthy adult male are usually able to be distinguished, again multiple perch photos help. Feeding and behavior is also a good way to tell but obviously cant really do that over the computer

Of course. I understand! As I said, I wasn't arguing. I'm quite familiar with most of you with the chondro collective and/or the chondro coalition and have a healthy respect for you all.

Btw, just to be clear, my male, Hunter, is a proven 9 year old male. He is a PNG x OSHY and is fully 5 1/2 feet in length. Not too sure of his gram weight, but I would estimate him at about 1200gm +/-. He was purchased from Rocky Gravley as an adult a few years ago and we've kept his weight and condition perfect. He eats 1 large or jumbo mouse every 2 weeks and while he never refuses, lol, he is in no way overweight. I only bring this up to illustrate that there are some large males out there and size alone is not really an indicator of sex. But I know you weren't suggesting that it was - again, this is only an example for the OP's benefit.

Sorry to get a wee bit off topic.........

[Andys-Python]

I REALY appreciate the discussion here. I'm learning a lot. I've started reading "The More Complete Chondro" book you suggested and can't wait to read/learn all I can. I've been away on business this past weekend and will be traveling this week, so I will check in as often as I can. When I return, I'll take a couple of 'perch' photos and post them. I would love seeing some of the color morphs pictured in the Chondro book. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where on the East Coast (Washington DC area) that would have some - maybe even some morphs for sale? If I have the time this week, I'll order a new cage for Puffers. If not, that will be my first order of business when I return. Thanks again and I look forward to more discussions here. Andy PS-My return(enter) key isn't working - sorry for the lack of line breaks here.

[tikigator]

I REALY appreciate the discussion here. I'm learning a lot. I've started reading "The More Complete Chondro" book you suggested and can't wait to read/learn all I can.

GREAT! This is what it's all about! We love doing this together and sharing what we know to educate and help others enjoy chondros! The book is your best learning tool, so read away!

When I return, I'll take a couple of 'perch' photos and post them. I would love seeing some of the color morphs pictured in the Chondro book. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where on the East Coast (Washington DC area) that would have some - maybe even some morphs for sale?

Would love to see some perch pics of Puffers! We are actually located right around the corner in Maryland and have chondros for sale all the time We have everything from simple locale animals to designers (all lines) in all price ranges. If you have a facebook find us and you can see some of what we have going on. All depends on what you are looking for. Also, we are hosting the International Collective Arboreal Symposium here in Timoinium, MD in August. We will have some of the top breeders in the world coming to speak and display their collections. It is going to be an epic event that is definately worth coming to especially if you are local! We will also have special guests including THE Greg Maxwell, author of the book you are so much enjoying That's right, meet him in person! Here is the link:
http://www.arborealsymposium.com/

If you have any other questions or need anything at all please don't hesitate to ask! We love educating others and bringing them into our hobby, it's what we do together!

[Andys-Python]

we are hosting the International Collective Arboreal Symposium here in Timoinium, MD in August

I was planning on going to this, but didn't realize it was a three-day event and not just a reptile expo like the ones in Harve de Grave MD and Manassas VA. I'll check my schedule and make every attempt to be there! I look forward to meeting you and other Chondro lovers! - Andy (return key still not working here - works on other programs - any ideas what is wrong??)

[tikigator]

I was planning on going to this, but didn't realize it was a three-day event and not just a reptile expo like the ones in Harve de Grave MD and Manassas VA. I'll check my schedule and make every attempt to be there! I look forward to meeting you and other Chondro lovers! - Andy (return key still not working here - works on other programs - any ideas what is wrong??)

Oh no this is definately not just an ordinary expo. This is an educational symposium with speakers from around the globe, collection displays, and breeder gatherings. Yes there will be vendors....enclosure vendors, incubator vendors, as well as other dry goods, in addition to animals of course. Some of the big names that will be there include Greg Maxwell (author of the More Complete Chondro), Nick Mutton (author of The Complete Carpet), Christian Stewart (representing The Barn, largest chondro breeder in the nation), Marc Spataro will be bringing some amazing animals (Boelons pythons, darwins pythons, etc), and a few other celebrities (both human and scaley) that will be a great surprise Admission includes a t-shirt and lunch, and the event is hosted at hotel so room accomodations are available. It will be EPIC!