Sexing by counting scales after vent

My corn snake just had a shed about a hour ago, and it was a perfect shed as usual. I have two corn snake books and one says you can count the subcaudal scales to determine the sex of the corn snake. They say that females have 59-70, while males have 70-80. My girlfriend and I both counted and we didn't share our answer until both had counted so we wouldn't be influenced by each others answers. We both got 65..... My question would be is this method effective, or has anyone used this? The only problem I see is that unless this is a full proof method then, 66 is very close to 70. Any help.

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Originally Posted by Theluciddreamers

My corn snake just had a shed about a hour ago, and it was a perfect shed as usual. I have two corn snake books and one says you can count the subcaudal scales to determine the sex of the corn snake. They say that females have 59-70, while males have 70-80. My girlfriend and I both counted and we didn't share our answer until both had counted so we wouldn't be influenced by each others answers. We both got 65..... My question would be is this method effective, or has anyone used this? The only problem I see is that unless this is a full proof method then, 66 is very close to 70. Any help.

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I have never counted the scales because it would make me :rolleye2:.Its easy to tell corn snakes gender if you look at how the tail tapers after the vent.The males will go out a ways before it starts to taper.The female will taper sooner :gj:..

That really only works if you really know what your looking for. I watch a snakebytes tv episode and Brian could tell, but his wife couldn't. I only have two snakes and one is a hatchling and the other is a juve. I just wanted to know if this method worked for anyone who has probed there corn, and done the scale count.

I don't think that counting the scales is very effective. Every snake is different, and I don't think that every male has the exact same amount of scales, and neither does any female.

Probing and popping is very effective, but you should be experienced or know how to do it first.

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Originally Posted by Theluciddreamers

That really only works if you really know what your looking for. I watch a snakebytes tv episode and Brian could tell, but his wife couldn't. I only have two snakes and one is a hatchling and the other is a juve. I just wanted to know if this method worked for anyone who has probed there corn, and done the scale count.

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Is it possible to post a pic of each snakes vent area?

I only have a 5 mp digital camera. I got rid of all my 35mm SLR's a year or so back.

if you count the scales from the vent of the tail you can judge the sex of a snake?




counting scales

Counting scales, looking at shape of vent, etc are not reliable methods of sexing corns. Yes there are tendencies, but every "rule" of these methods has plenty of exceptions. I'd have him probed or popped (if young enough) by someone experienced as a more reliable method.