How to Tell If a Python Is Male or Female

Telling the difference between a male and a female python isn't as easy as determining the sex of most other living creatures. To determine gender, you have two options. You can either view the python relative to other pythons, comparing and contrasting appearances, or you can have a reptile handler assist you in a technique used to determine the sex of snakes.

Instructions

1. Compare the size of the pythons within a group. Female pythons are longer, wider, and have bigger heads than male pythons.

2. Compare anal spurs of the pythons. An anal spur looks like a tiny claw near the anal opening. These are larger on the male python.

3. Watch for egg laying. This is the easiest way to guarantee that a python is a female.

4. Watch for two pythons battling each other. If you see this type of behavior, there is a good chance that both of the pythons are male.

5. Take the python to a reptile handler to have the sex determined by a probe. Don't try this on your own. The handler will insert a probe into the python's cloaca. The probe can travel farther into the tail of a male than a female, thus determining the sex of the python.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not attempt to handle a python unless you are a trained reptile handler.

References

• Python
• Determining Sex