Popping advice

[Lorgakor]

So I have a new ball that I would like to sex. I have watched numerous videos, as well as I saw it done in person, and feel I could attempt it without hurting the snake. So I did try it the other day, it took me like fifteen minutes just to unball her, and by then she was a bit agitated. Didn't try to bite, but was s ing up a bit. Anyhoo, I did manage to get her back end in hand, but it felt so tense I wasn't sure if I could actually push anything out. Could she have been tensed up because of me fighting with her to unroll? Or is it supposed to feel like that? It felt like a very tense muscle. I felt like I couldn't get her to bend at all for me to get in the right position.

This snake is 810 grams, so not a baby.

How likely are snakes to bite during popping? If they are not normally bitey, will popping or probing cause them to become bitey if it bothers them?

[mues155]

Popping a snake that size is very difficult. Their muscles are so strong by that size a beginner probably wouldnt be able to pop it.
You will probably have to get him probed.
Look up probing videos and you can get a probe kit online from a reptile supply store for around $30. Probing as well as popping can be dangerous as a beginner for the snake. So do your research or find someone in your area that is experienced and have them probe him for you.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

I have a feeling that even if it were a male you would never be able to pop the hemipenes out.. The snake is too tense and you're too nervous. A snake that size has enough muscle control to hold it in. It really should be probed.

[Slytherin]

I believe popping is usually done when the snakes are still young yet. Popping is a method, but I would highly discourage it because you can do some serious damage to your BP (especially since you are new to it and you're already nervous; not a good combo). I wouldn't be surprised of a BP tagging you for it if you decided to do that, since it can be quite painful.

If you absolutely need to know the sex of your BP, please get it probed. It would be a lot safer for yourself and your BP.

[Lorgakor]

Yeah it turns out I am just totally timid about pressing too hard. I just tried again on a known male I have who is smaller, around 450 grams, and I just don't know how hard to press, I was worried about hurting him. I found an instrument I thought would make a perfect probe, but I put it against him and knew it was too big.

I'll just wait until quarantine is over and take her to get sexed.

[gibleis]

Video from one of the best. Even showing him doing it on some adults. I am not saying to try on yours though. There are multiple other popping vids on his profile if you want more info.

[Lorgakor]

Oh I've watched all the videos. I think that for me I would need to learn on a much younger ball, and my smallest one is a bitey bugger, so it will take a bit of courage before I try on him lol!