Posted by:
ohernz
at Sat Nov 8 09:16:03 2008 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by ohernz ]
snakes as u already have noticed, are not sexually dimorphic although females tend to grow larger than males, and males tend to have large spurs than females; they also might have a longer tail than females. however, we are talking about babies here and about determining the sex "for sure".
there are two methods of sexing a snake, but (and this is important) BOTH SHOULD BE DONE BY AN EXPERIENCED PERSON...
1. PROBING: this i don't think would work with babies (or should not be done with babies), but just in case this is what it is: male snakes have two hemipenes (male copulatory organs)that in their non-aroused state extend from the cloaca down towards the snake's tail. probing involves inserting a steel "probe" (they come in different sizes) inside the cloaca towards the tail into one of the hemipenes (if present) until it encounters a light resistance. then you stop and count the caudal scales to the point of resistance. males average 5 scales while females average 2-3 scales.
2. POPPING: this is the method you should be using with babies...it involves manually making the hemipenes to pop out of the cloaca. you have to use your two hands and in the case of larger snakes might need a second person to help holding the snake. place a thumb on the anal plate (the big scale covering the vent) and pull it up and back. use the other thumb to press over the tail pushing upwards. that should make the hemipenes to pop out.
as snakes grow, males get more control over their muscles and popping might become more difficult. as you can see, it is easier understood when you see it done and when somebody shows to you how to do it correctly.
hope this helps. (the descriptions on probing and popping were based on the descriptions from the book "The Complete Ball Python" by Kevin McCurley).
[ Hide Replies ]
- Skinny Python update - StickySlash, Fri Nov 7 18:18:27 2008
 RE: Skinny Python update - ohernz, Sat Nov 8 09:16:03 2008
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