Does anyone know how to reliably sex Ball Pythons without probing? I currently have two of them and would really like to know their sex.

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http://7geckos.tripod.com

The only dumb question is the one left unasked.

Unless they are hatchlings, the only way to guarrante the sex is to probe them....this will cause no harm if done correctly by someone who knows how to do so....the other way would be to wait till they are adults, cool them over winter, put them together....which ever one lays eggs is a girl....if none lay eggs you will have two the same sex.

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I'll think of something to put here soon.......

the male has a shorter (stubby) tail after the vent than the female. Supposedly you can also pop hatchling Ball Pythons, but this should only be done by someone that knows what they are doing. Same as probing.

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Paul

Everything is do-able in life, you just need to know how to do them to get them done.

PCar's Reptiles

Thanks for the replies. Think best bet for me is to have a vet do it for me. Just didn't wanna put them through that. It can't be comfortable. Thanks again!!

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http://7geckos.tripod.com

The only dumb question is the one left unasked.

If probing is done right by someone who knows what they're doing, it will not bother the snake. The guy who sold me Talyn probed her while I was holding her and she didn't react at all. I couldn't believe how easy it seemed to be on her!
I wouldn't have them probed unless they are over 1 year old though.

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Andrea

I have seen probing done on snakes as old as 6 months. and have heard of it being done on snakes younger. But, I agree that you should wait till they are older just to make sure that no harm is done. You don't want to steralize your snake just to find out what sex it is at an early age.

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Paul

Everything is do-able in life, you just need to know how to do them to get them done.

PCar's Reptiles

Hey Travis, Probeing and popping are the only reliable way to sex. Everything else is just one big guess. I have seen males popped as old as 2 years, such as my male. Without experience this is hard to do. Probeing is the the way to go.
-jason

A DNA test is also an option but not cheap. Are there any breeders in your area? One of them might be willing to probe them for you.

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Val

http://www.reptilerescuerichmond.org

I witnessed a probing for the first time last week...OUCH! If I was a snake I would wanna kick my owners *** for doing that! I dont breed yet so I guess this debate is in my future though.

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-Ron

If Im not back in five minutes...just wait longer!
-Ace Ventura

Joe,I don't think you should cool Ball pythons in winter! They don't have winter where they are coming from. You just need to separate them for a while,but I never heard of BPs being brumated! Could be dangerous for the animal!!
Or am I wrong?