Sexing Hatchlings?

I just hatched out my first clutch and they shed and all are doing well. My question is, it is time to sex them and I don't know how. I can't seem to pop but I can probe. with probing my question is how deep does a baby male probe as compared to a baby female? Is there a significant difference? I would love to be able to sex my own babies so any help would be great!

If you don't know how, the best thing to do is take them to a vet or take them to a Reptile Expo. NEVER try doing it yourself because you might unintentionally harm the snakes. Learn from the vet/breeders a couple of times, then you'll get the hang of it!

As for the probe, I'm not to sure, but if you haven't done that before either, I would advise not to unless you get taught from a experienced individual!

Hope the babies are doing well! :)

If you haven't done it before, don't probe a hatchling. In fact, I never probe a hatchling. Im afraid i may hurt it. All of our babies are sexed (by poping) after their first shed. Find a breeder in your area to teach you to pop and probe. There's no rush. Find the right help.

I will be honest with you. I wouldn't try probing without a clear example face to face; however, popping is something you can do by just watching some YouTube videos. A tip for popping is that you will actually have to apply more pressure than you believe. I'm not saying squeeze the life out of your babies, but you have to remember that you're inverting hemipenes that you cannot even touch directly. A tip is make sure your hands are correct, start with a little pressure and gradually increase until you figure it out. I thought I couldn't do it, but a week ago I got 1 of 2 hemipenes on my Lucy. It's amazing how small they are as hatchlings lol.

ok well as far as popping I am afraid of applying to much pressure and nothing is coming out. So you do have to apply some pressure on the rolling side or the other side? And tanks for the replys and don't worry i was very careful when robing I watched ralph davis and tried very easy but I can't get popping I am always afraid of hurting it. So I do apply more pressure than I think I should in the roll?

Again, I don't want you to over squeeze, but yes. It was way more pressure than i initially thought it would be. Apply more to the rolling side down stream. All your doing up stream is apply just a little pressure above the cloaeca so that the hemipenes don't roll past. Good luck!!! You will get it! I never thought I would, but I did.

probing is usually used on larger snakes as you can rupture the hatchlings very easy.

Does a girl have all white with barley anything coming out as a baby? And does a boy have two red tips that barely come out as a baby? If you see red is it a boy and if it is white is it a girl is basically what I am asking.

Popping babies is easy. As RDR puts it, "It's like rolling a tube of toothpaste to get that last little bit out."

but is a girl all white and a male two red spots? Does a female have red at all? As a baby?

Sometimes, if you get it good males are still longer even if they are small. Females as babies are little more than spots. They're usually clear, but not always. If you get it all the way, you can tell

Males have red hemipenes and females are more of a clear opaque with light pink. Little boys tend to be very easy to see boy oy oy oy oING...

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wow thanks for the visual Zombie :rofl:

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Originally Posted by Spookitie

wow thanks for the visual Zombie :rofl:

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:D

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Originally Posted by Zombie

Males have red hemipenes and females are more of a clear opaque with light pink.

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This is true, however if an inexperienced breeder irritates a female enough (through improper technique), it will appear similar to a male. Those clear opaque knobs will turn red. I know that YouTube is now many people's favorite place to learn, but there really is no better way than working with an experienced keeper and learning how to do it first hand. Attend an Expo, many breeders would be more than happy to give you a lesson.

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Originally Posted by Don

This is true, however if an inexperienced breeder irritates a female enough (through improper technique), it will appear similar to a male. Those clear opaque knobs will turn red. I know that YouTube is now many people's favorite place to learn, but there really is no better way than working with an experienced keeper and learning how to do it first hand. Attend an Expo, many breeders would be more than happy to give you a lesson.

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I agree with Don 100%.

IMO - Watching a youtube video or online tutorial does not qualify you to accurately or safely sex a ball python. Speak to a professional, visit a breeder or go to the vet and spend the time and learn the techniques one on one.

- Popping is fairly easy, but proper pressure and technique are required to avoid injury.

- Probing is a very accurate sexing technique, but when done inaccurately can serious damage to your snake. Typically I would suggest probing for juveniles and up, not for hatchlings; it can be done though. When probing you want to ensure that you are using the right size probe, a 'water-based' lubricant and are supporting the lower region of the snake exactly straight at all times while probing.

This thing with popping is, if it's not done right, you can seriously hurt the snake.
Have a vet or a local breeder show you how to do it and walk you through it face to face.
They're to little to probe right now.

Ok thanks guys I will get in touch with my vet or a breeder and try to get them to help me. Thanks again to all you guys!

There will be two tiny nubs. These are scent glands, and both sexes have them. Boys will have two additional nubs--they may be fleshy, red, or even purplish, and the size will vary.