How do you Palpate?

[Jay_Bunny]

I was asked if my larger female had follicles. She hasn't eaten since I got her in March and I was told follicular development can cause a snake to be uninterested in food. (She shows absolutely no interest in food whatsoever) The guy I got her from said he felt follicles before he sold her to me in March but she was never bred.

So how do I know if she has follicles? I have no idea how to palpate her. I attempted to mimic the palpating videos I've seen around but I don't even know what I'm feeling for. Is there any chance she even has follicles? Temps and humidity are good. 91-92 as the warm side, 85ish as the ambient. (sometimes it goes a bit lower at night because we forget to turn the ac off or we turn it on on hot nights) The female is 1600ish grams. I had the exact weight earlier but I can't find it.

So any thoughts or suggestions on either determining if she has follicles or how to get her to eat. And if she does have follicles, we have a male that is 425g. Is this too small?

[LadyOhh]

You are feeling for little balls.

Depending on their size, they may be big or small... but they are in sequence, so if you feel Bump, bump, bump.. you got it.

But they feel like balls.. Maybe Pearls, maybe Golfballs.. Depends on the development.

[Jay_Bunny]

I felt along her belly and everything felt smooth, so I'm guessing there are no follicles.

I am wanting to breed her eventually but she won't eat.

[LadyOhh]

How hard did you palpate?

[Jay_Bunny]

Not very. I was scared of hurting her or pressing too hard. She kind of just slithered over my fingers while I pressed into her belly slightly.

[LadyOhh]

Not hard enough then...

[Jay_Bunny]

I could take her out to the reptile store today. I need to get feeders anyway. Maybe the guy that owns the store could palpate her for me and even show me how to properly do it.

[Jay_Bunny]

I just attempted again. She wasn't happy but all I could feel was smooth muscle. She tightens up and moves too fast. I think she's doing this on purpose.

[jglass38]

Here ya go. Enjoy!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VDPZ1qSpca8

[littleindiangirl]

I just attempted again. She wasn't happy but all I could feel was smooth muscle. She tightens up and moves too fast. I think she's doing this on purpose.

Once you feel them for the first time, you won't mistake them. Get a thin cloth, get her to relax and flatten her body out. As she moves into her tub or hide, squeeze her body flat, running the tips of your fingers in between her ribs. Near the halfway mark, you may feel something or not. If not, then she may not have follicles. If you feel bump bump bump, you felt follicles!