Popping

[kc261]

Well, I'm feeling pretty dumb right now. Last summer, I got someone to show me how to pop. I did it. It worked.

Now, I'm starting to think about adding new snakes as this year's hatchlings become available, and I thought it would be a good idea to verify the sexes of the ones I have. Well, either all my males have magically morphed into females, or I've forgotten how to do it. Actually it probably has a lot to do with them being bigger and stronger, and the only snakes I ever popped were still pretty little.

I know I've seen a few good videos on it, which I thought might help me figure out what it is that I'm doing wrong, but I could only find the one by Adam at 8ball. Where are the other good videos?

Any other tips for popping bigger snakes instead of hatchlings?

If I can't figure it out, I guess next time I get an opportunity, I'll know to ask to be shown how to pop an adult.

[rabernet]

Ralph has a pretty good one too:

YouTube - PRO Poppin.........yeah booyeeeeeee

For some reason, I find adults very easy to pop. I can't really explain my technique though.

[cinderbird]

its absolutely more of a rolling motion, not a pushing motion. I think ralph explains it in his video.

[kc261]

Thanks Robin, that is definitely one of the videos I was thinking of. I remember that pretty white snake.

If anyone else has any more tips, I'll gladly listen!

[kc261]

OK, this isn't working.

I watched the videos, Matthew came home and he watched the videos. We both were like yeah, that is what we remember doing. We went to try it on the snakes... Out of 3 males, I wasn't able to get any of them to pop. Matthew was able to get one of them to show one hemipene, but then tried again and did not get it again.

Didn't want to stress the snakes too much or hurt them in any way, so we gave up for the time being at that point.

I don't know if we just aren't using enough pressure out of fear of hurting them, or if there is something about our technique that isn't quite right. It just seems so stupid because we both could do it last summer/fall.

So, any advice?

Any volunteers in this general area that want to re-educate us?