return to main index

  market - home
follow us on facebook follow us on twitter link to us on LinkedIn
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research  
Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You
Locate a business by name: click to list your business
search the classifieds. buy an account
events by zip code list an event
Search the forums             Search in:
News & Events: Kingsnake out and about this weekend . . . . . . . . . .  NARBC shows how the reptile community comes together . . . . . . . . . .  kingsnake.com is coming to Tinley NARBC . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake battles a Rattlesnake . . . . . . . . . .  An Educational Roundup? . . . . . . . . . .  The battle for survival for the Ibiza wall lizards . . . . . . . . . .  Bringing back the Horned Lizard . . . . . . . . . .  UGA Study shows pathogens threaten snakes survival in Southern US . . . . . . . . . .  First time Sea Turtle nesting in Florida . . . . . . . . . .  New regulations on Native Species for Wisconsin Keepers . . . . . . . . . .  Heavy Metal Scorpion . . . . . . . . . .  How a python change the course of Attenbourgh's life . . . . . . . . . .  Make good choices . . . . . . . . . .  Burmese found on roadside in Wisconsin raises issues . . . . . . . . . .  Happy Earth Day . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake Merch Store . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake returns to Tinley . . . . . . . . . .  kingsnake.com joins Monitor Brains! . . . . . . . . . .  Sneak Peek . . . . . . . . . .  Amphibian gut bacteria showing promise in cancer research . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  Meet The Baroness - The world's longest snake . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  Updates? . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  The mechanics behind the viper strike . . . . . . . . . .  Snakes on a Train? . . . . . . . . . .  Tracking the animals in the Florida Everglades - Meet the Croc Docs . . . . . . . . . .  Reintroduction attempts give San Francisco Garter a second chance . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - July 18, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Chicago Herpetological Society Meeting - July 19, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Bay Area Herpetological Society Meeting - July 24, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  DFW Herp Society Meeting - July 25, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Tucson Herpetological Society Meeting - July 27, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Greater Cincinnati Herp Society Meeting - Aug 05, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  PACNWRS - Aug. 15-16, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - Aug 15, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Chicago Herpetological Society Meeting - Aug 16, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  DFW Herp Society Meeting - Aug 22, 2026 . . . . . . . . . . 

RE: Probing depths of Balls

[ Login ] [ User Prefs ] [ Search Forums ] [ Back to Main Page ] [ Back to Ball Pythons ]

Posted by: midnightherps at Thu Aug 3 01:06:32 2006   [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by midnightherps ]  
   

Ill share a few tips from my own experiance. Hope it helps.



Whenever you probe first be confidant you are using the appropriate size probe. Trust me, smaller is probably better. No one likes to admitt it but Im sure alot of us in our less experianced days probed little snake or something and noticed a little blood speckle after....Ya...thats because the probe was too big and tissue was torn.......

It definately doesnt need to feel tight going in. All your looking for is a gentle slide until it stops (obviously) but I realize that can be difficult if hes big and strong.



Secondly, make sure you lube it with some KY or whatever naughty jelly you have in your drawer....PATROLIUM JELLY IS NOT RECOMMENDED......its too thick and not slippery enough for a comfortable fit. It will just make for a tighter than necessary fit. Ive never done it but Ive watched morons at pet stores do it. errrrrr!



When inserting the probe give it a few nice turns as you go in just to ease the slide and also respect the animals orface......try to remember that you wouldnt want a metal rod up your peace pipe...lol

About 4-6 scales should denote a male. Up to 12 or 14 and you might have a female. Try to push when you feel him relax. Probing is kindof tricky because its good if you can get in and get out but you dont want to be too impatient and ram it.



If its at all possible I recommend popping as an alternative. Despite what people say it is certainly possible to pop an adult. You just have to help him get comfortable..for example...NOT holding his huge body in the air by his little tail. Set him on your lap or on a surface and softly but firmly bend his tail (cloaca up) over your two index fingers--place the side of your thumb about half and inch away from the cloace twards the tail and roll firmly...not quickly...just firmly and steady because he will resist but if you picture in your head what youre trying to accomplish then youll be able to carefully evert that hemipene. Chances are if its a male youll get a beautiful u-shaped boogger instead which is his way of saying "Im ready for the ladys". The proof is in the pudding.



Sorry if I got a little carried away. I dont share much but I like to share what Im realy confidant with.



Good luck.


   

[ Hide Replies ]


>> Next topic:  faded Albino breeders - Claudeballs, Thu Aug 3 00:25:00 2006
<< Previous topic:  What do you guys think of her? - kayser74, Wed Aug 2 22:37:14 2006

Click here for Dragon Serpents Click to visit DM Exotics Click to visit Spitfire Reptiles
KINGSNAKE.COM

Enjoy all our content free of charge with a user account that gives you full access to every feature. For added visibility, paid options are available - post in our Classifieds, showcase your business with Banner Ads or a Directory listing, promote reptile events, and more.

Quick Links
Community
Legal & Safety
Support

Register for free ✓ Sign up!

Kingsnake.com ® is a registered trademark © 1997-