I don't recall posting anything in response to your questions that would make you look like an imbecile, nor would it make fun of your language or choice of words.



If you go back and read your original post, you admitted yourself that you weren't very experienced at sexing snakes, and your questions bore that out. There's no shame in that, everyone has to get the experience somehow. Nowhere in the original post did you say that you had more experience than the rest of us with kingsnakes or any other kind of snakes. If you have more than 30 years, I bow to your experience. Nor did you mention that you worked "side-by-side" with "the best in the business". If those are facts, then you shouldn't need to post in here asking how to sex a king snake because you have more experience with it that the rest of us anyway and you have undoubtable seen many cases of punch-through, so that should be no mystery to you. Anyone with a "lot of experience with king snakes" should be able to visually sex them with a very high degree of accuracy and certainly wouldn't be "popping" adult snakes as a matter of course. If nothing else, you can count subcaudals. As far as "papered biologists" goes, I have an education in biology/zoology. Not that that matters, it doesn't. Some of the most important techniques in husbandry and breeding have come from hobbyists and breeders who are not degreed biologists. If you want to read about the natural history of snakes, DNA typing, ranges, reclassifications, morphology, physiology, etc., go read Herp Journal. If you want to learn how to keep and breed snakes, hang out with breeders and hobbyists.



I take exception to your accusations that I posted anything demeaning in response to your questions. You asked for help, I was trying to provide it. If you don't agree with what I'm telling you, you are free to ignore it. It doesn't matter to me either way. If you don't want answers, don't ask the questions. Maybe it's YOU that could "check the attitude", or at least don't make blanket accusations directed at "the rest of you". Since you have the experience, why don't YOU tell US the answer to your questions? Exacly how many subcaudal scales did you expect the probe to go for a male? A female? Since it was different on each side, what did that tell you? Was it still in range for a female? Was it still in range for a male?





Perhaps some people came on a little strong and suggested things that weren't quite valid for everyone, such as never trying to probe or "pop" a snake. Probing is a perfectly safe and acceptable way to sex snakes, assuming proper technique and equipment. "Popping" is also perfectly safe and acceptable, assuming once again proper technique and appropriate subject, however, even the tiniest hatchlings can be safely probed. Not all snakes are easily visually sexed and IMHO spending money on a veterinarian visit and x-rays every time you need a snake sexed is ludicrous. But, that was his opinion and that's the way he does things. I'm not going to knock that.



I don't really think that any one on here was trying to give you grief, but just answering your questions in their own style. I think you over reacted and may actually owe some apologies. If you don't want responses that assume a neophyte level of knowledge and experience, then maybe you should ask them in such a fashion that gives a clue as to your level of knowledge and experience. Or, predicate every question from now on with "I'm already an expert, but I have a question for you."

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