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Really stupid sexing question.............

FireDrake

FireDrake

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Please help a newbie!

Ok ok I know there are no stupid questions, but I feel dumb asking it, because I thought I had this figured out already.

Let me start out by saying I am used to corn snakes when it comes to sexing snakes. I pop and probe my babies to make doubly sure of what I have.

I have six female balls. The other day I got the Complete Ball Python book by Kevin McCurley. It says females probe 2-3 scales deep, and males probe 5 or more deep.

All six of my "females" probe about 5-6 scales, and I was told that yes, females could probe that deep. Five of them are little enough to pop, so I popped them, and I would say they all pop female. They were all CH guaranteed females.

My big female definately doesnt probe as deep as my male, and I cannot get any sperm plugs out of her, while I could get them out of my male. She weighs so much I cant get an accurate reading on my scale anymore. Her last weight was over 1900 grams.

So, do I have six males, or am I being silly? Please be nice, LOL :cool:

Thanks in advance,
Sarah :scatter:
 
And a blind guess at the sex of 6 snakes I haven't checked would, lol?
ok
you have 4 females and 2 males
 
Unless, you got them from Ben Siegel - in which case they're all females :hurray:
 
FireDrake said:
All six of my "females" probe about 5-6 scales, and I was told that yes, females could probe that deep. Five of them are little enough to pop, so I popped them, and I would say they all pop female. They were all CH guaranteed females.

Thanks in advance,
Sarah :scatter:
Click to expand...

I would say if you have experience popping snakes, if any were males you should have seen at least one pop. I have also heard of females probing on the border line. If you are still uncertain I would find a local vet or herp society that has experience with ball pythons and have of them probe one for you to verify. Like Harald said, we would just be guessing.
 
Lol, ok no help here.

Seriously I know you cannot tell me what I have exactly! What I am looking for are answers along the line of.....

Yes females can probe that deep,

or: I have a proven female that probes deeper,

or: nope those can only be males.

I dont have snake ESP, and I know no one else does, I am just asking all you so wonderful and experienced ball people to give me some advice! I can be as sarcastic and joking as the next person, but this is really bothering me because I feel like I have been struggling to feed five little male balls thinking they were females, AND THEY WONT TAKE FROZEN THAWED and it's driving me crazy because I HATE feeding live!

Sarah
 
As you have noted, female balls can probe deeper than 2-3 scales. You have also stated that your big female probes less deeply than your male, which means you have (at least) one of each for comparison. You also mentioned 5 small ones and a big one, and that they ALL probed to 5-6 scales. And how deeply did the male probe?
I think you have already answered your own question and are worrying too much :D
 
Bill and Amy that wasnt directed at you LOL.

I might try getting someone else to do it for me, just gotta find someone with the time!

Thanks
Sarah
 
hhmoore said:
As you have noted, female balls can probe deeper than 2-3 scales. You have also stated that your big female probes less deeply than your male, which means you have (at least) one of each for comparison. You also mentioned 5 small ones and a big one, and that they ALL probed to 5-6 scales. And how deeply did the male probe?
I think you have already answered your own question and are worrying too much :D
Click to expand...

I know that is a possibility! I do worry alot. LOL
The male probed like 9 or more scales, I mean that probe filled up most of his tail. The female is bigger than the male, but the probe didnt go in that far. So YES, I could just be crazy.

I tried breeding this female, my first time with balls, and had the male and female in together since November and did not see a single hook up. Not that they didnt, but I checked on them all the dang time, so eventually started thinking, maybe I have two males. (that would be my luck)

Thanks

Sarah
 
Sarah... Calm :) It's alright.
Take them to someone who is more experienced, and they can help you and show you, since the internet is really not the place to pop nor probe a snake. ;)
 
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