How do you sex?

Re: How do you sex?

I find that question a little personal... but if I am to answer honestly normally I request dinner first.

On a side note, we probe and pop (depending on the size of the snake) unless we bought the snake from a breeder I trust.

I prefer probing, but I do both probing and popping for hatchlings. I only use the probes for anything larger than about 200 grams. Getting a good pop of a male to clearly evert the hemipenes will certainly confirm a male. However, I say if you don't get an obvious view of the hemipenes, then probing should be done. Probing can be kinda tricky, but when you probe a male and female back to back you realize that the difference between the two is rather dramatic. Males not only probe at twice the depth, but there is much more lateral room for the probe (i.e. lots of 'play' side to side), whereas the probe is a lot more snug for the females (all else equal). Of course, probe depth as determined by subcaudal scales should be the best judge (don't include the anal plate in your count). Males always probe at least 6 scales and usually more, and females never go more than 4 (usually 3).

Summary: I say learn both techniques. Use popping to confirm males, and use probing to confirm females. Occasionally both should be used on an individual to be sure.