popping

so i have been doing the ball python thing for a long time now and i still cant pop for the life of me, anyone have any good tips, i

I've tried a few times..
failed all of the times.
I think I've got the anatomy wrong...

I've done it once- and I did it right, but it just looks SOOO painful!! Even if it isnt, I still feel bad doing it an so I just dont. Instead I spend $40 at the vet for each snake to ge them probbed. lol.

yeah thats my same issue dont want to hurt them especilly hatchlings

Popping hatchlings is very easy. Good thing to know if you ever plan on breeding. The key is applying pressure to the right area and rolling your thumb...:gj: Boing!

Very good video on Adam's site (8ballpythons.com) if you haven't already seen it...

When I first started popping, I started with known males and females and just practiced, practiced, practiced. Adam talked me through popping on the phone and assured me I wouldn't break Kashmire.

Kevin showed me in person last year when I went to visit him and Kara. He'd pop a snake, then hand it to me and let me pop. None of them pee'd on him, all of them did on me! LOL

Adam and Ralph's popping videos also helped me to "finesse" my touch. I can't remember the last time that I've probed a snake, now it's all popping.

Interestingly enough, I find adults far easier to pop than babies (including the males).

You really do just need to keep practicing on your own collection of known sexes. As they say - practice makes perfect! :)

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Originally Posted by mischevious21

I've done it once- and I did it right, but it just looks SOOO painful!! Even if it isnt, I still feel bad doing it an so I just dont. Instead I spend $40 at the vet for each snake to ge them probbed. lol.

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why dont you just purchase a set of probes and do it youreself?:P

I find it much easier on the hatchlings. My problem when I first started was not the finger (thumb) that pushes out hemipenes out but making sure the other thumb is placed firmly on the claoca. Adult BP are much stronger and have much more muscle control so it is harder to pop them. Babies just come right out with no harm to snake.

My question is since you have babies for sale and you admit to not being able to pop how do you verify the sex of the baby's??

Ralph's video helped me the most. Its on youtube some where.

I used to find popping hard, but after watching RDR's video about popping, I don't find it hard at all. I have been able to properly pop all of my hatchlings this year with no issues. I have seen many other popping videos, and they do give a general idea, but IMO Ralphs is the most descriptive.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

I agree. Ralph's video helped me the most. And Jas' :rofl:

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Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle

My problem when I first started was not the finger (thumb) that pushes out hemipenes out but making sure the other thumb is placed firmly on the claoca.

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I agree... I had the thumb rolling down, but until I started to push on the cloaca, and then pull it back just slightly, it was hit and miss. Now I get a good pop most times. That adults are always harder though.

Hatchlings are sooooooooooo easy though. Either you get hemipenes or you don't... and sometimes pee in the eye!

bruce

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Originally Posted by Loft Lizard

Either you get hemipenes or you don't... and sometimes pee in the eye!

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Yep.. it happens

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Originally Posted by mischevious21

I've done it once- and I did it right, but it just looks SOOO painful!! Even if it isnt, I still feel bad doing it an so I just dont. Instead I spend $40 at the vet for each snake to ge them probbed. lol.

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You've got to be kidding me. $40.00 for each snake just to have them probed? Thats insane. You were completely ripped off, find a new vet.

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Originally Posted by MarkS

You've got to be kidding me. $40.00 for each snake just to have them probed? Thats insane. You were completely ripped off, find a new vet.

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Personally I have not had to probe or pop any yet but if I really need to there is a local pet store that probes for $5 per snake.

In a few weeks I will have to learn how to pop properly, all my attempts on a 700g male have not gone so well. I end milking the darn snake instead of popping its hemipenes

The idea of popping scared me, so I dug up the video of Ralph on youtube popping his snakes. He explained it the best out of all the books I've read and videos I've seen.

I took the plunge today, and popped my big male pastel. Easy as pie, it doesn't actually take that much pressure. Just had to find the right spot to roll the thumb. :gj: