Sex that snake!

[JasonS]

I know this has been asked a thousand times, but I am at a loss. I bought this "guy" a little over a year ago. Last years breeding with him was a bust, but I didn't think much of it. This year is going the same way, he doesn't want anything to do with the ladies. So I did what everybody would do, probed him. The results gave me some doubt so (don't get mad), I put two of my known males in with "him" at separate times. Both males acted as if they with a female. I got some pictures for you guys to look at. Thanks for any imput.

JS

 

[Corny Noob]

Honestly I don't think many people are going to be able to tell from those pictures.
Sexing by tail width is a very difficult thing unless you've done it about a billion times.
It's also kinda hard to tell anything because of the flash too. Maybe someone will be able to tell, but honestly probing is the best way to go. Is there someone else who could probe "him" as well to back up your ambigious results? :shrugs:

 

[danvega]

Both males acted as if they with a female.

I'm not really sure what you me by this. Did they try to lock up? Or, were they just anxious or nervous with sporadic behavior?

How many scales did it probe?

Judging from the tail pics, it looks like a probable male. Better pics would help though.

 

[antsterr]

Honestly I don't think many people are going to be able to tell from those pictures.
Sexing by tail width is a very difficult thing unless you've done it about a billion times.
It's also kinda hard to tell anything because of the flash too. Maybe someone will be able to tell, but honestly probing is the best way to go. Is there someone else who could probe "him" as well to back up your ambigious results? :shrugs:

Sexing by tail width is actually quite easy. If you've seen more than a few comparisons it's not hard. It's only 90% accurate though so it's more of a good indication than a conclusive test. It's easier to mistake a male for a female than the other way around. I've never seen a female that looked like a male.

I'm guessing male. It would be better if the pictures was more clear but it looks very much like a male. A female would start to taper right away where as this one stays pretty thick for a good distance past the vent.

 

[Corny Noob]

Well I was just going off of what it said in Kathy's book about not being a finite method of sexing. :shrugs:

 

[JasonS]

Thanks for the replies. The first male put in with him could have been worked up being next to a female, but the second did the whole chin down the back thing. The probe went in about four scales. I am going to reprobe him tonight. I am waiting for him to give up a fecal sample to take it in, should be tomorrow. I will try for better pics, but no promises. I got him for someone who I think knows what there talking about, so I am leaning male. But with the no interest in females and the other test, I wanted to ask for help. It is just so frustrating for this to happen two years in a row. I don't have a big breeding program, just a few hand picked fun projects in which he was going to be a big part in. I hope I can get this figured out in time to fertilize the eggs. Thanks again.

 

[JasonS]

Is this a better picture? The snake in question is the hypo, the known male is the lavender . To be vague, it was a confirmed hit. They were like this for at least a half hour. The third picture with my thumb marking the probe got me because it is about the width of the tail. If I remember right it never bred for the previous owner.
I honestly wouldn't mind this. Sure my little projects would be cancelled.But a new female, clutch, and now I have to get a compatible male! What do you guys think? I hope this turns out to be true. :cheers: