Another interesting sexing method...

[xdeus]

I just read a thread on KS that mentioned a sexing method that I've never heard of before. This method involves the same technique as popping, only to the point of opening the vent and not actually popping the snake. Supposedly the male has more blood vessels in that area due to the hemipenes and will appear more pink whereas a female will appear a very light pink or even beige. The guy included pictures, and the difference seemed pretty obvious.

Seems like it might come in handy for those females that don't exactly probe the way they're supposed to.

[gmmuscle91]

hmmmm. sounds like that would be interesting.

[kavmon]

to me if you don't pop/probe and don't see the penes, you won't know for sure



vaughn

[xdeus]

to me if you don't pop/probe and don't see the penes, you won't know for sure

Well, the problem is that even probing isn't 100%. I was thinking this might be handy to do on an older snake that might be tough to pop, but doesn't probe the way they should.

[Adam_Wysocki]

If you've sexed enough ball pythons, you'd know that there is NO WAY that method could be any more accurate than probing.

Some females can be extremely pink when you spread their vents open.

I'm not buying it.

I'll stick with popping ... works for me every time.

-adam

[xdeus]

I'll stick with popping ... works for me every time.

I agree, popping is probably about as accurate as you can get. And I think you've mentioned before that you can pop adult snakes, too. Unfortunately, many of us noobs are lucky to probe a snake much less pop an adult. Even if this method holds true 80 or 90% of the time, used in addition to probing it might come in handy. At least until we can get you to confirm it.

[Adam_Wysocki]

Unfortunately, many of us noobs are lucky to probe a snake much less pop an adult.

It really just takes practice ... pop pop pop ... probe probe probe ... adults babies sub-adult ... do it every day until your fingers get tired ... in time, it's second nature and 100%.

-adam

[xdeus]

It really just takes practice ... pop pop pop ... probe probe probe ... adults babies sub-adult ... do it every day until your fingers get tired ... in time, it's second nature and 100%.

-adam

LOL. Sure, easy for you to say. If I tried to get as much practice as you say I need, I would have a lot of very grumpy snakes in my measly collection. That's it... I just need MORE SNAKES. "But Dear, Adam says I need more practice popping and probing!"

[Adam_Wysocki]

LOL ... There was a day when I only had a small collection and used to pop them all constantly for practice ... they lived through it just fine.

The one thing that I know for sure is that there are no short cuts ... no matter what method you choose to sex your snakes (popping, probing, counting blood vessel, or whatever), unless you practice constantly, there is going to be a period of learning where you are not going to be 100% accurate. Practice, practice, practice!!

-adam

[mlededee]

The one thing that I know for sure is that there are no short cuts ... no matter what method you choose to sex your snakes (popping, probing, counting blood vessel, or whatever), unless you practice constantly, there is going to be a period of learning where you are not going to be 100% accurate.

eeeek. i'm so terrified of that! i feel like i need to have all of my first hatchlings sexed by my vet so i'm sure of what i have and what i'm selling if i sell any of them.