Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have found many small snakes to be improperly sexed (whether intentional or not?) it can make for an awkward moment when you have to say “sorry, dude, but...” Do you whip out your own probe, quickly “pop” before they can say anything? Take your chances and check it out later? Have them probe it for you on the spot? Is there any harm with a small snake that has been probed numerous times at a show? I have also been turned off when somebody is very aggressive with a probe and seems like maybe he just neutered the thing by accident. How do you verify the sex of animals at a show?

When I go to shows, either as a vendor or just a buyer, I bring my probes. In the 1990's I trusted the vendors and was burned quite often. They all used the popping technique, an inaccurate method. When I purchase snakes at shows today, I go to the nearest empty table and probe my newly purchased snakes. If they aren't what they are supposed to be...I go directly to the seller and get the situation fixed.

Kerby...

I like what Kerby does. one way or another, before you get too far away from the table you should have your acquisition sexed gently with probes.
DaveB

I agree with Kerby and Dave. I have the breeder show me if its a male . If it pops male then it a male. If it does not pop I insist on probing to see if its a female. Unless you can trust the breeders popping or probing methods (ala Don Soderberg)to do this in front of you I prefer to do this myself because I have witnessed some gosh aweful popping and probing methods at shows.

Amen brother on the god awful probing and popping. I guess you get jaded after a few years and you just get into some super efficient slap and stick technique. It seems like some of these guys forget they are dealing with a living animal and something that I might just covet and plan on spoiling rotten it’s entire life. I want them to be real careful as if I already own it and they are respectful of MY animal. I do worry about them actually damaging some future follicle development or causing some actual blunt trauma out of sheer indifference. Maybe it isn’t as delicate as I imagine and actual injury is rare, it just seems to be too rough and you see things, at least I, would never do to any snake I own or give a hoot about. Appreciate the input from you guys.

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Upscale

As a male homo sapien, I know I would want extreme caution with any probing in that area ...

I have seen lots. Let me warn you, many think preperation is more important then experience. I see some lube this, wash that, and have no idea what they are doing, with the actual probing.

Also, In all the years I have been around reptiles. I have seen some nasty injuries. I have a lifelong friend, with hammers for thumbs. But none ever led to long term injury. Remember, the actual working parts for both males and females is the other way, in the body cavity.

Even puncturing the hemipene is not serious, they do not have internal sperm travel, It flows along a groove on the outside. So a puncture will heal very quickly with interference.

I am not saying you should not practice probing properly. I am saying, use the right reasons to do so. I can imagine, even normal good probing is not fun for the reptile. Cheers

The way Kirby does it is nicer to the snake than pre purchase sexing, where someone might sex it and decide they don't want it anyway. I think if I was a dealer, sexing would only be allowed after purchase, with full refund or a discount (customers choice) offered if I was wrong.

If he ends up returning it due to sex, then the dealer knows their initial sexing was incorrect and they can change it when taking it back.

As long as the dealer is a decent lad or lady, sexing after purchase should mean that a snake is sexed no more than twice (and only once if the dealer was correct the first time).