How to Probe your snake! Video!

Hi guys! I made a video last night (at the request of another member) on how to probe your ball python. This is just how I sex my snakes and is what I am most comfortable with. I urge you to have someone show you in person before you try it yourself.

Make sure you turn up the quality as it is recorded in 1080p :D

Snakes featured in this video: Lesser Axanthic, Queen Bee, Spider, and Pastel Butter. Enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joebeawdykU

I want to make more videos like this, do you guys have any requests?

Awesome, thanks Steffe! I'll have to watch this when I get a break here at work!

Sweet vid! Love how professionally spoken you are. It was super clear!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mrl249

Sweet vid! Love how professionally spoken you are. It was super clear!

---

Haha I'm glad you think so! Before we started filming I was like....what should I say?? I just started talking and let my brain do the work. Apparently my brain did a good job ;)

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Love it!! Thank you so much for posting this. It's by far one of, if not the clearest video on how to probe ball pythons.

When probing other snakes is it the same as balls? As in, the probe goes further into males, than females?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trackstrong83

Love it!! Thank you so much for posting this. It's by far one of, if not the clearest video on how to probe ball pythons.

When probing other snakes is it the same as balls? As in, the probe goes further into males, than females?

---

You know, I haven't probed any of my other species! I'm a little nervous to do so on my smaller GTPs and ATBs, and have absolutely no need to sex my 6' boa. I should try on my blood python though. I'm sure its the same if not very similar.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaorte

You know, I haven't probed any of my other species! I'm a little nervous to do so on my smaller GTPs and ATBs, and have absolutely no need to sex my 6' boa. I should try on my blood python though. I'm sure its the same if not very similar.

---

I have a friend who wants me to probe his baby jungle carpet so I was curious if its the same with other species. Anyone else out there know? :D

Read up on probing Carpets.
There are some warnings out there but I don't know if they hold truth.

I don't want to spread misinformation but do some research.

For the record, I have probed my Carpets.

This was good, steffe. I've watched a breeder do two of my snakes in person but its second nature to him so he did it kinda fast. This made me confident enough to try it myself eventually. :gj:

I'm glad you guys liked the video!!

Any suggestions on future videos I should make? I want to do a morph spotlight once a week but I also want to do some more informational videos.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

A snake room tour video would be cool. Even though Brians end up being like 30-40min i always enjoy watching them. Discussing what projects you got going and what your goals are would be cool too. I like to hear what other people plan on producing and seeing their breeding stock. I make notes of where to go looking if i want to get certain morphs lol. You know, for when i win Powerball. ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike41793

A snake room tour video would be cool. Even though Brians end up being like 30-40min i always enjoy watching them. Discussing what projects you got going and what your goals are would be cool too. I like to hear what other people plan on producing and seeing their breeding stock. I make notes of where to go looking if i want to get certain morphs lol. You know, for when i win Powerball. ;)

---

Haha! Yes I plan on doing a snake room tour and kinda show off what I have. I'm going to shuffle some things around this weekend so maybe I will make one on sunday :)

I don't have many projects for this year, but next year we are going to have some seriously cool stuff going on! Man I could talk about stuff in my snake room forever. XD

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaorte

Haha! Yes I plan on doing a snake room tour and kinda show off what I have. I'm going to shuffle some things around this weekend so maybe I will make one on sunday :)

I don't have many projects for this year, but next year we are going to have some seriously cool stuff going on! Man I could talk about stuff in my snake room forever. XD

---

Haha yea, make nature model all your snakes for you!

I could listen to people talk about snakes forever lol. I really love brians videos. You could also do shorter videos showing your individual group projects if you didnt wanna do them all at once. I know you have an ax project planned, idk what else really though... :)

Much cleaner and much easier to understand than the "other" videos out there. You get LOTS of bacon for this! Darn, no bacon emoticon so you get MANY bananas! :banana::banana::banana:

I see the kit you have is also very similar to the one Reptile Basics sells which I plan on ordering here in the next few days. How do you select the proper sized probe? Is there a weight/length scale for each probe?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike41793

Haha yea, make nature model all your snakes for you!

I could listen to people talk about snakes forever lol. I really love brians videos. You could also do shorter videos showing your individual group projects if you didnt wanna do them all at once. I know you have an ax project planned, idk what else really though... :)

---

Haha I'm sure he would love that :P

That is a good idea. I feel like I should just do a collection of short videos. I have many many projects :P but most of the exciting ones won't be til the 2014-2015 season.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Willie76

Much cleaner and much easier to understand than the "other" videos out there. You get LOTS of bacon for this! Darn, no bacon emoticon so you get MANY bananas! :banana::banana::banana:

I see the kit you have is also very similar to the one Reptile Basics sells which I plan on ordering here in the next few days. How do you select the proper sized probe? Is there a weight/length scale for each probe?

---

Thanks! I love bacon! And bananas! lol!!

It is probably the same kit. You can kind of gauge the size based on looking at the snake. The tiny tiny ones are just too tiny and sharp in my opinion, and the big ones are just way too big. I use any of the 3 right in the middle for ball pythons. Smaller ones for smaller snakes, bigger ones for bigger snakes. I don't really have an exact weight-probe suggestion. I'd have to look at my probes. For the video I only used 2 different probes. The smaller one is good for snakes up to 500-700g, and the bigger one I used for anything bigger than that.

That was a quality video! You were specific and smooth without rushing through. I have seen quite a few of these probing vids and the majority just kinda seem rushed to me. Great job! :gj: I take it you plan to probe hatchlings too? I have never probed anything smaller than 300g so I dont know if its pretty much the same or if babies (males in particular) are slightly different.... And the vids I have seen have never had a hatchling probed in them. Are they easier to just pop? I have also never popped a hatchling. :P But I have some on the way so I gotta get ready for them!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Andybill

That was a quality video! You were specific and smooth without rushing through. I have seen quite a few of these probing vids and the majority just kinda seem rushed to me. Great job! :gj: I take it you plan to probe hatchlings too? I have never probed anything smaller than 300g so I dont know if its pretty much the same or if babies (males in particular) are slightly different.... And the vids I have seen have never had a hatchling probed in them. Are they easier to just pop? I have also never popped a hatchling. :P But I have some on the way so I gotta get ready for them!

---

Thanks!!!! :D

I will be probing my hatchlings, yes. I've probed snakes that are under 100g before with zero issues. I don't see why you can't probe them. As far as popping, I know the general concept, but I just can't seem to invert the hemipenes. I'm just going to stick with what I know since I am confident with my skills :)

It really is personal preference. Some people are comfortable popping, some more comfortable probing.

When I have hatchlings, I'll be sure to make another video :)

That was a great video! I like that you did a male and female of different sizes too. I have been nervous about learning to probe. You made that look super easy. How do you determine which size probe to use? I think that was a better video than any I have watched on you tube. Thank you for posting that. We should get that stickied!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DooLittle

That was a great video! I like that you did a male and female of different sizes too. I have been nervous about learning to probe. You made that look super easy. How do you determine which size probe to use? I think that was a better video than any I have watched on you tube. Thank you for posting that. We should get that stickied!

---

Its hard to explain how I choose the probe. I pick one that slides in easily! Usually this is one of the middle most probes. The smallest two are way too small, and the biggest two are way too big.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaorte

Thanks!!!! :D

I will be probing my hatchlings, yes. I've probed snakes that are under 100g before with zero issues. I don't see why you can't probe them. As far as popping, I know the general concept, but I just can't seem to invert the hemipenes. I'm just going to stick with what I know since I am confident with my skills :)

It really is personal preference. Some people are comfortable popping, some more comfortable probing.

When I have hatchlings, I'll be sure to make another video :)

---

I'm not comfortable with popping at all. Just doesn't feel right.

Also, yes, this should be a sticky :D :D

Great Video.. I for sure will use it for Probing my hatchling ... ad Sticked definitely:gj:

a good vid would be how to make an incubator because i will need one this year.:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cinnamonpython

a good vid would be how to make an incubator because i will need one this year.:D

---

If I didn't have eggs in the incubator I would totally give you guys a video of my bator. I just don't want to leave it open unnecessarily. Maybe if I make another one or when my eggs all hatch :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaorte

You know, I haven't probed any of my other species! I'm a little nervous to do so on my smaller GTPs and ATBs, and have absolutely no need to sex my 6' boa. I should try on my blood python though. I'm sure its the same if not very similar.

---

For the record, if we meet up at Tinley again this year, I'll let you do it on my Angolans. I'll bring the 1.1 pair. You obviously know what you're doing so I'd trust you to do it on them. :gj:

Great video! It is very professional!

If you are inclinded to do more, I'd love to see any DIY projects or something on how to assist-feed. Although I don't know just how good an idea that might be. Don't want flocks of inexperienced people trying to assist-feed a ball that hasn't eaten for only 3 weeks or something..... But in some ways, it might be good. ;)

But I'm bookmarking this vid for future reference! Thanks for doing it! :D

Thanks so much! I have nobody in my town that can show me sinse I have moved to Northern Ontario and I decided to give breeding a shot next winter so this is extremely valuable. It makes me feel more confident now. Thanks again.

Jim

woo!!! thanks for making the video im just about to pick up a set of probs at the expo in a few weeks and this was super helpfull

First of all- I really like your video presentation. I am not expert on popping more than a few small bp’s, nor very good at probing, so I tend to rely on more experienced people locally.

I will slightly play devil's advocate on probing though. There are bp's out there that will trick you without a doubt with probing only. I have a 2600g Normal that had a very experienced person at probing AND the herpetologist from Gator Land here in FL fooled by probing alone. You will see the video below and come to an immediate conclusion…. And probably be wrong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuU5NOT9RN4

The animal was then taken to Orlando to see a herpetologist from Gator Land where I had an appointment for another bp and brought this questionable snake with me. He also probed the snake and came to the same conclusion as most of you probably have by now based on the original probing….. a male.

I please asked him to ultrasound the bp because I thought that I had felt some follicles. Well… he was now very interested. We proceeded to the ultrasound machine to see 12 follicles that measured 25mm each. Needless to say, he was surprised and I was very pleased. She immediately began getting introduced to some males and became gravid. In the absence of actually seeing hemi-penes or ultrasounding follicles you can probably only be somewhat certain of sexing. Granted this was a 2600g Normal, but it probed a full 8 scales and was a female.

She is now 35 days POS and due any day.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps2b99b97c.jpg

I am very new to all this. I have been watching tons of videos. I really hope that your snake is the exception. It just seems odd that a female would probe so deep without hemipenes. I figured probing would be the most accurate between the two methods. I am still getting a probe kit soon and hopefully I can learn popping to. If I could pop I would pop all hatchlings and then double check suspected females by probing. Hope I don't have a weird exception of a snake.

When a snake is that big, it is entirely possibly that a female will probe more than 5 scales or so. The trick is knowing what to feel for. You would probably lay assume that a male of that size would probe very very deep. Much more than 8 scales.

I know people say you can't tell just by looking, but I think in the case of adults, you can kinda tell. A female will be nice and fat and round (usually) and males tend to be a bit thinner.

I still believe probing is accurate. There are other methods but this is just what works for me!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Oh, is it possible that someone probed it incorrectly in the past and broke through some flesh on the inside?

Did both sides probe that deep?

I also find the bottom of the pocket feels different between the sexes - males feel some what stretchy and bouncy while the bottom of a female is a hard stop.

I learned very early on how to sex my ball pythons, but whenever I'm doing it again I watch a refresher video. This is my new refresher video :D Great job, this really is excellent!

- - - Updated - - -

Actually, after watching the absolute ease of your demonstration I'm not sure I'll need to watch again :gj:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Evenstar

For the record, if we meet up at Tinley again this year, I'll let you do it on my Angolans. I'll bring the 1.1 pair. You obviously know what you're doing so I'd trust you to do it on them. :gj:

Great video! It is very professional!

If you are inclinded to do more, I'd love to see any DIY projects or something on how to assist-feed. Although I don't know just how good an idea that might be. Don't want flocks of inexperienced people trying to assist-feed a ball that hasn't eaten for only 3 weeks or something..... But in some ways, it might be good. ;)

But I'm bookmarking this vid for future reference! Thanks for doing it! :D

---

X2 on the hesitation of the assist feeding video. It could be a good thing to have around.... but people can be so thick headed at times... could result in a lot of traumatized snakes. Although it could also save some hatchlings as well.

I've never assist fed before.. but if I ever become familiar with it, I would like to make a video with a ENORMOUS WARNING lol.

Although I don't know if youtube is the right place for something like that...Not everyone on youtube uses their best judgement.

thank you so much for this video! i'm new to owning ball pythons, and i've been afraid to pop or prob my BP since i got him.

i've been super curious, cause i did get him from Petsmart, and we only sell male exotics, but there was one employee who would pop them to see and he said a few were female. this was long before i got finn, and by default i gave him a male name, but recently, i've been curious.

i found out about probing a few weeks ago and i'm SO glad i did before i got that courage to pop him. it always looks SO painful, and i know i can mess him up something fierce if i do it wrong, so i didn't want to chance it.

probing seems to be a lot easier, but i do wonder, while they look like it doesn't bother them, is it possible to cause harm to them with a prob? i'm just so worried i'll hurt him since i don't have anyone to show me in person. i was thinking about taking him to a reptile store to see if they could help, or just remain blissfully unaware of his gender. hahah

but yes, this video is a lot better then most that i have seen! thanks!

Hi,

Yes it is possible to hurt them if you push too hard while probing.

Very gentle pressure is all that is needed really.


dr del

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

Yes it is possible to hurt them if you push too hard while probing.

Very gentle pressure is all that is needed really.


dr del

---

Exactly. It should barely take any pressure to slide in. If you feel any resistance, just stop the probe and count the scales.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Can anyone link me to a site that sells a probing kit that ships to Canada for a decent price?

http://www.epicexotics.com/i
They are great to deal with.

Their sister company is http://www.exclusivesnakes.com/

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shania_09

Can anyone link me to a site that sells a probing kit that ships to Canada for a decent price?

---

You can try Celticserpents.com they have probing sets too

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nate212

You can try Celticserpents.com they have probing sets too

---

Tracey is getting out of selling probes. It's possible she may have some, but she might have sold out at the latest expo.

Great vid Steffe!

just wanted to share that I got my probing kit in today and I used this video and have successfully probed my snakes for the first time :) I had some trouble figuring out what sizes to use, but after some searching I saw the suggestion for it to be 1/4 of the anal plate, and that worked out. I was SO scared probing my adult female; she has problems staying still and I was sweating worrying about her jerking. She wasn't too happy with me, but it's not like I haven't bought her dinner (many times) first. Just wanted to say thank you and that this video is still immensely useful!

Question; how do you disinfect your probes between uses?

This should definitely be a sticky! Awesome vid!!!! Thanks!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DestinyLynette

just wanted to share that I got my probing kit in today and I used this video and have successfully probed my snakes for the first time :) I had some trouble figuring out what sizes to use, but after some searching I saw the suggestion for it to be 1/4 of the anal plate, and that worked out. I was SO scared probing my adult female; she has problems staying still and I was sweating worrying about her jerking. She wasn't too happy with me, but it's not like I haven't bought her dinner (many times) first. Just wanted to say thank you and that this video is still immensely useful!

Question; how do you disinfect your probes between uses?

---

Sorry I missed this! I just wash them with soap and water.

Say, for a ball python thats 5-7months old. Which one would you recommend to use? Very small one? And would popping okay for small ones?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk 2

Excellent video!:gj:

Should be a sticky for sure.

Thank You :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Louie

Say, for a ball python thats 5-7months old. Which one would you recommend to use? Very small one? And would popping okay for small ones?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk 2

---

I use the smallest probe in my kit for hatchlings.

Popping is fine too, I just don't have a feel for it ;)

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4

Wow! this video is awesome and so helpful!
I can (somewhat) pop my snakes but I've always been TERRIFIED to probe them. I know, I know, silly fear, but I'm always afraid that I won't feel that pressure and seriously hurt one of them. I'd really like to learn though since I have a 2100 gram 'female' who is 'built' more like my males, more thin but not skinny.