How do you sex large aggressive snakes?

[Jerhart]

Hey all,
Here is a question for you larger snake handlers. How do you sex a large aggressive python by yourself without getting mauled? ...say a 5.5' Coastal Carpet? My wife will have no part in it, as my friends will not take part in helping. This is the snake where you have put a blanket over the front of it's cage because it strikes at anything that walks by...I dont know if any of you have tube or pillow bag tricks to help....also would you try popping or probing? I am leaning towards popping as it is more accurate I feel...but I also understand...5.5' male may be a bit strong to pop...any help would be appreciated...and at the time being, a vet is out of the question...Thanks all!
-Josh

[420boa]

wow sounds like you have a task in front of you. I just got an atb I coudnt imagine having to sex him. I would probally try to sex him at the hospital cuz thats where I would prob end up

[xdeus]

How do you sex large aggressive snakes?

Very carefully?

Seriously, I wouldn't try popping it. Probing is pretty accurate most of the time unless you're unfortunate enough to get one of those in-between snakes. Just get him in a pillow case and have someone hold it shut around the snake with the tail hanging out. Then have it...

It would really help with another one in case the snake moves around a lot. Hopefully one of your friends would feel better assisting you if the biting end is in the pillow case.

[mooingtricycle]

Could always try tubing. Sure its for hots, but i dont see why it wouldnt work for larger snakes that you just want to sit still!

[Colin Vestrand]

well the most obvious solution is to have one person hold the head and wait for it to coil around their arm... then the other personal takes the caudal 1/3 in a firm grip and does the probing. i know it's easier said than done.

the way i personally would do it though... put it in a cage with a male snake and see if there's any combat.

[MarkS]

well, you can try putting the front half of the body in a snake bag with just the tail sticking out, you have to hold the bag pretty tightly around the body to keep him from coming back out. You probably will need two people though. Then I would probe rather then pop. I think it would be difficult to pop a 5 1/2 foot carpet. Tubing isn't a bad idea, I've never tried it but you could probably pick up the right diameter PVC for a carpet python at home depot rather then having to order it.

[Jerhart]

Hey all thanks....
...well it's one thing to try to get someone who isnt a fan of snakes to hold a tame bp.....it's another to trying to get someone to help with a mean 5.5' carpet....Trust me...I KNOW it would be easier with two people, that's easy to say...but again...who?

Mark I like the PVC idea...may need to give that a whirl...

The thing with probing vs popping is that FOR ME, it's easier to probe a STILL snake....or you know more relaxed one (tame) than one that will be trying to strangle you with their tail...I would be too concerned with the snake making any sudden movements while the probe is in causing a possible internal injury ...I feel it's easier to pop a more 'wiggly' snake than it is to probe one...

...not a fan of the snake combat...I would feel too much like Michael Vick.

[Colin Vestrand]

combat is perfectly safe and normal... in fact, you could seperate them as soon as they 'assume the position'.

[Jerhart]

combat is perfectly safe and normal... in fact, you could seperate them as soon as they 'assume the position'.

Colin! The last thing I want to do is put my hand in there when they 'assume the position.' That's like saying 'it's loaded, now just stick your finger down the barrel'

...no really, I understand what your saying, and your right. I know it often encourages breeding with males too, I just wanted to be funny if I cant sex 'it' I may throw 'it' in with another male.

[Colin Vestrand]

bah, what's a little tag on the wrist..