determing sex

[Keeth]

gday everyone,
i was just wondering how accurately you can tell the difference between a male and female small blotched python, judging by comparison of their tails.
I just bought a python off a mate and he informed me that it was definately female according to his breeder, yet the snakes tail is almost exactly the same size as my male's.
I was just wondering if i have any reason to be angry just yet.
any replys would be appreciated,
regards keeth

 

[Tommo]

he must have probed the snake

 

[Keeth]

he must have probed the snake

yes but im not sure about the credibility of that breeder

 

[ad]

How old are the snakes, he might have quickly popped them.

 

[Keeth]

theyre both about 6 i think

 

[ad]

rules out popping then, really the tail size is one of those guide things, it can never be gospel.
Probe them, or take them to a vet/herp friend who can help probe them for you.

 

[Keeth]

yep thats my next move i guess

 

[Magpie]

My Stimsons have identical looking tails, yet are male and female. They were probed by a very trusted source whilst I watched.

 

[Keeth]

thanks for sharing that info thats exactly what i wanted to hear

 

[Greebo]

I have not heard of this sexing by the tail of the snake before.
I know some breeders can look at the tail just behind the vent and if there is a slight bulge it's a male. Is that what he meant?
Also the method I described is not 100% accurate.

ps. I'm not saying you can't sex snakes by the tail, just never heard of it before.

 

[Keeth]

basically it is said that males have a much longer thicker tail than females to store their hemipenes whereas females have a much shorter tail that tapers off very quickly from the vent.

 

[Robert]

Keeth i have heard of this also the deal with the tail.
I had my guy's and girls done today and one i thought what was a female due to her tail and her spurs turned out that she was a he.
Can only really tell i think by probing.
The ones at 6in might be a bit to small to do as mentioned earlier.