Help with determining gender of new Garter

[Rupley89]

Hey, everyone, I'm new to this community!

I joined because I'm in a bit of a bind and was told that this was the group of people who could help me. (Just short of popping or a Vet visit to probe)

I recently purchased what was supposed to be a pre-sexed male Juvenile Albino Checkered Garter from an unnamed, (for their privacy) reputable breeder. Upon further inspection, this snake appears to be female. I contacted the breeder and told them that I think there may have been a mistake. (At the time they were only selling males) I wouldn't have contacted them but they guarantee the gender of their animals. They seem to have dismissed me outright and told me that a mistake was impossible. I sent them the same photos I'm about to share with you and have yet to receive a response.

Please let me know what you think, and sorry if this isn't the appropriate place to post.

[guidofatherof5]

I would say female.

[Albert Clark]

It appears to be female. And for a breeder to say that it's impossible for the sex to be different than what they guaranteed it to be is absurd. That's what the guarantee is for, bc should there be any question, the breeder should have sent you a prelabelled shipping tag to return the animal for further inspection and examination. Or, if it proves out to be the opposite sex give you a different animal. Come on, these things can happen. The customer should always get the benefit of the doubt and their satisfaction is what should really be considered. I would contact them again and let it be known that you are dissatisfied and want them to rectify the issue. It really is a simple and fair thing to do. You always have the option to give them a less than positive review on the Fauna Classifieds B.O.I. ( board of inquiry). Hope they do the right thing. Good luck.

[Rupley89]

I sent the company an email two days ago, and have yet to gain a response from them. The thing that bothers me the most, is that when I contacted them, I wasn't asking for anything. I actually really like my new snake and am going to keep her for a breeding project later down the line. I was super understanding about the situation and inquired when I would be able to purchase a male Garter. They told me that they had personally sexed my animal after it was born, so there couldn't be a mistake. I asked if it could have been a mix up in sorting. (giving them an out) They didn't even bother to answer any of my questions. I think the situation boils down to a matter of ego/pride.

I'll keep you guys posted on how this thing plays out, and I really appreciate those who took the time to help me out!

[guidofatherof5]

Time will tell in the end on sexing but I see no widening at the cloaca and down the tail. I do see a nice taper from the cloaca down. Is there a chance this is a male? It's possible but not likely. Did you ask they how the sexed the snake?

[Rupley89]

I believe they popped the whole litter a couple weeks after birth.

[guidofatherof5]

Well, apparently they saw something that told them male. Once again, time will tell.

[Rupley89]

The snake proved to be female. The breeder finally got back to me and sent a male free of charge.

Thanks to those who weighed in!

[guidofatherof5]

Glad it all worked out.

[Albert Clark]

Good to see they did the right thing. Very customer friendly act to do on their part. Congrats.