Popping problems?

[Brock Fluharty]

So today at work, I went to pop the ball python that i'll be bringing home tomorrow. I put slight pressure above the cloaca, and pulled it back a bit, then rolled from the tip of her tail towards the cloaca. Nothing popped out. Tried it several more times, with the same end result.

Does this mean it's a female, or did I just do it wrong?

Thanks,
Brock

[whitesnake12]

If its white looking sac I guess u can call it its a girl but if red spurs come out its a guy. try to get a more experinced person to do it to make sure its a female.

[sg1trogdor]

Umm Have you popped before??? I am deathly afraid of trying it without someone showing me first. You could hurt them if done wrong. (although I am sure you know that)

[mooingtricycle]

Be gentle, and support the body on either side of the spine. if you cant do it, dont force it. Too much pressure could injure the animal if you are not careful

[Brock Fluharty]

No, i've never done it before, so I did it very very gently. I think that's why it didn't work lol. How should I sex it? Is there a method safer than popping that I can do myself?

[Brock Fluharty]

Thanks Mooingtricycle,

Nothing popped out at all, so I must have done it wrong.

[Somed00d]

the trick is you have to roll your thumb towards the vent. its hard to explain but once someone shows you one time its pretty easy.. you don't need to go from the tip of the tail. Put your thumb just below the vent and then tilt your thumb away from the vent that should put your thumb in perfect position to pop it.

[simplechamp]

I'm way too nervous to try it myself. I picture it being one of those things where you build it up in your head to be nerve-wracking and scary, but once you do it a few times it's a breeze. I would feel a little more comfortable learning to probe first, then maybe try popping. But I'm sure probing could be just as harmful, if no more so, if done improperly.

[Somed00d]

I would feel a little more comfortable learning to probe first, then maybe try popping. But I'm sure probing could be just as harmful, if no more so, if done improperly.

I am the opposite. I am afraid to probe.