The way you described the probing "event" I would say the it was not an accurate way of ensuring this animals sex.

Certain snakes easily can flex and prevent the probe from passing to the depth of a male.

Also hemipenal castings/sperm plugs can block a probe as well.

But boas usually leave these in their water bowls, I have seen them in blood pythons where they where hard like a snot and if you pulled it out, you get the idea....YUK lol

As long as the snakes are healthy you could make introductions and watch for courtship activity.

I was given a "female" coastal carpet python on a breeding loan to breed to my male. (zoo sexed no less) I knew it was not a female within minutes of introduction because of the wrestling match type of behavior. Although I have not heard of male boa competing I am sure there are prominent behaviors you could note to discern sex of the animal.

Dave from rainbows r us has a pretty reliable palpation method he uses as well. But this may work on babies only, not really certain.


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Thanks,

Frank Roberts

[ Hide Replies ]

• She... He.., who knows! - AbsoluteApril, Tue Jan 20 11:45:52 2009
• April, if the probe is too large it can - skyslinger, Tue Jan 20 12:03:01 2009
• It's definitely a...... - rainbowsrus, Tue Jan 20 12:07:19 2009
• RE: She... He.., who knows! - FRoberts, Tue Jan 20 12:07:35 2009
• RE: She... He.., who knows! - rainbowsrus, Tue Jan 20 12:11:23 2009
• thanks for clarifing dave n/p - FRoberts, Tue Jan 20 12:14:28 2009
• Thank you all! - AbsoluteApril, Tue Jan 20 12:39:58 2009
• RE: She... He.., who knows! - Randall_Turner, Tue Jan 20 13:41:49 2009
• RE: She... He.., who knows! - LarM, Tue Jan 20 13:36:42 2009
• Here are better pics - AbsoluteApril, Tue Jan 20 19:00:17 2009
• Just went through that same thing!!! - John_Kielbasa, Tue Jan 20 14:14:02 2009
• April, do you have any way to..... - Kelly_Haller, Wed Jan 21 00:36:16 2009
• RE: April, do you have any way to..... - AbsoluteApril, Wed Jan 21 15:10:20 2009
• RE: April, do you have any way to..... - VFR, Thu Jan 22 08:41:26 2009