Popping Hatchlings

Alright, I need some advice! I know you can pop your hatchlings immediately to determine sex. I've never popped a snake, always probed my adults, but obviously do not want to probe these little hatchlings. I've watched pretty much every youtube video I can and have tried popping my current 5 hatchlings. I think I'm doing it correctly, it really isn't rocket science. I guess my concern is, if I am popping correctly, it looks like 5 of my 7 hatchlings so far are females (which isn't really a bad thing if it's true!), I just have a hard time believing that the first 5 out of their eggs would ALL be female.

I know some people can look at the tail south of the cloaca and have a pretty decent idea based on how slender or wide the tail is. All of my hatchlings look pretty slender as is, and upon popping, all I see is a little white flesh bulging out.

I guess I'm afraid to hurt the little guys/gals. I'm not sure if I'm not using enough pressure or if I'm doing everything a-okay. Does anyone have any good pictures/links/videos/what have you that could give a newbie some guidance?

Thanks again!

If you know how to probe, I'd advise probing. It is very easy to pop wrong if you don't know 100% how to do it - speaking from experience!

I was always under the impression that probing hatchlings and young snakes could be potentially dangerous. Is that not true (or, I should say, is it not true that it's potentially anymore harmful than probing an adult is if you know what you're doing)?

Are the males that you're popping definitely popping male? Also, I will usually pop when they hatch, then wait until after the first shed and pop again to make sure. I've found that with hatchlings it doesn't take much pressure. If it's a male, you'll know it...Just make you're noting it down on their feed record to keep everything straight.

It's the same with everything more so for hatchlings if done correctly harmless. if not incorrectly can be bad.

I've tried palpating, and then popping to make sure, and I've seen that palpating works with hatchlings. Just apply some pressure, slide from cloaca to the tip of the tail. If you feel a bump, it's a boy, if not, girl. Hope this helps!

I have actually really been wondering this, too with hatchlings. Thanks for the information everyone.

Here is a quick video of how we do it :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV5yr3UHWoE

Hope this helps :). It's pretty easy to figure out :).

I have tried popping pretty much exactly as the video you posted (thank you!) shows.

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Are the males that you're popping definitely popping male? Also, I will usually pop when they hatch, then wait until after the first shed and pop again to make sure. I've found that with hatchlings it doesn't take much pressure. If it's a male, you'll know it...Just make you're noting it down on their feed record to keep everything straight.

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None of the hatchlings I have popped have popped male. 5 of the 7 hatchlings have been popped (the other two are still in egg) and all have popped female, which I thought was odd. I'll have to repop after they shed just to check and see. Upon visual exam and palpating, I don't feel anything that would indicate male, I'm just obviously a little wary to think that all of them really are female!

Probing in all forms makes me nervous, but less so with a larger snake. I think I'd rather avoid probing if possible with these tiny guys.

Any snake that "pops" female should be probed.......some males may not "pop" out. Probing hatchlings is easy. The key is using the right size probe and being gentle. The only 100% accurate method of sexing is reproduction.

I was informed by my normal reptile vet that probing should ONLY be done by those who know what they are doing, especially with babies unless they wish to wish extreme damage to their tiny little reproductive organs. He almost suggested popping to be the safest. I don't prefer it, honestly. But I haven't had to do it. I have literally bought every animal already knowing the sex before purchasing him or her. I believe that video was extremely helpful so thank you!

Not that I don't think "inexperienced" persons inappropriately performing popping could do equal damage, but a probe might be a bit worse. Just saying.

Maybe look up some serious videos on probing? It's really a careful practice. You're going inside something very itty bitty. I know I can't do it. My hands shake so I am probably screwed forever anyway when it comes to the matter.

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Originally Posted by Brandon Osborne

Any snake that "pops" female should be probed.......some males may not "pop" out. Probing hatchlings is easy. The key is using the right size probe and being gentle. The only 100% accurate method of sexing is reproduction.

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Agreed, I'd rather know for sure. However, what is the "right size probe" for a hatchling? I've never even been given a real opinion about what the right size is for an adult.

My biggest concern with probing at this point (besides the obvious concerns) is I can't even really see the scales on their little tails to count :P!

I did re-pop a couple of them this evening, and one popped male, so I think I needed to work on my technique a bit. I'll probably probe the snakes that popped female once they age a little bit.

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Originally Posted by Zombree

I was informed by my normal reptile vet that probing should ONLY be done by those who know what they are doing, especially with babies unless they wish to wish extreme damage to their tiny little reproductive organs. He almost suggested popping to be the safest. I don't prefer it, honestly. But I haven't had to do it. I have literally bought every animal already knowing the sex before purchasing him or her. I believe that video was extremely helpful so thank you!

Not that I don't think "inexperienced" persons inappropriately performing popping could do equal damage, but a probe might be a bit worse. Just saying.

Maybe look up some serious videos on probing? It's really a careful practice. You're going inside something very itty bitty. I know I can't do it. My hands shake so I am probably screwed forever anyway when it comes to the matter.

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I find probing adults is pretty easy, I've never probed a squirmy little baby though. That's my worry, they're just so much more fragile!

Oh my gosh I actually did it right!!! I watched that video and I (for the first time) managed to pop my little male Nana! YAY!!! I can sort of sex things! Fantastic! THANK YOU!


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpP2UQiCIAAmzKn.jpg:large

I meant to get on here and thank you earlier, but I managed to pop my hatchlings as well! Looks like I have three male spiderbellies and three females, as well as a female yellowbelly! Obviously I will be having to try to probe the females (which still terrifies me like no other, mind you), but we will see!

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Originally Posted by Kourtneyhk

Agreed, I'd rather know for sure. However, what is the "right size probe" for a hatchling? I've never even been given a real opinion about what the right size is for an adult.

My biggest concern with probing at this point (besides the obvious concerns) is I can't even really see the scales on their little tails to count :P!

I did re-pop a couple of them this evening, and one popped male, so I think I needed to work on my technique a bit. I'll probably probe the snakes that popped female once they age a little bit.

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With hatchlings the probe should be about as thick as a LARGE safety pin and rounded on the end. I never understood why people were so scared of probing hatchlings. The best way to start is with a known male so you can get the feel for how easily the probe slides in . With females you will get two to three scales and then you get resistance. It is very easy to do. I never trust a female that has been popped by another breeder.....I have been burned more than enough times with popped "females".

Probe size for adults should be about 1/8"-3/16" in diameter, or about the size of a thick pencil lead. Again, it should just slide into the male's tail 6-9 scales. There is really no need to count scales. It is generally that easy to distinguish male and female. The best way to learn is to start on known sexes to get the feel.

Generally if you find a nice probe set with 6 sizes, the smallest sizes, 1 or 2, are best for hatchlings, while the upper middle sizes, usually a 4, are best for adults. Maybe if I get some spare time in the future I'll make a video on probing different sizes of snakes. Always remember to use a water-base lubricant WITHOUT a spermicide.