I've never done popping but I've heard it can be very unreliable, that sometimes the hemipenis does not pop out (thus mis-identifying a male as a female, which would really tick off a customer wanting a female).

Probing is relatively easy, but it is a good idea to watch someone who knows what they are doing do it first - and probably best to watch it live rather than video.

Your vet should be able to show you how to do it if you do not have a quality reptile specialty pet shop near you.

Remember to be extremely gentle when doing it, do not do it "fast" - go gentle and stop when you feel resistance. And get a probe set - so that you don't end up using a probe that is too large on small snakes.
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3.0 WC; 0.1 CB L. getula californiae
0.1 CB L. pyromelana pyromelana
0.1 WC; 10 eggs (7/11) Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

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• *****probing and "popping"***** - neonate, Fri Jul 14 19:34:32 2006
• RE: *****probing and "popping"***** - FunkyRes, Sat Jul 15 05:18:15 2006