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Question of probing blood python .

a_chen_tw Dec 30, 2006 01:44 PM

It's not confusing me about sexing and probing bloods .

I found some data , sone wrriten that it's almost impossible to sexing bloods by probing , bcoz the depth of probe inserted is the same both male and female and it's impossible to sex bloods by probing .

Another data shows that it's possible sexing bloods by probing . The wrriten the depth is 2 ~ 5 subcaudal scales of famale and 6 ~ 10 subcaudal scales if male .

I want to know more about your exprience in sexing bloods .

thanks a lot .
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Replies (2)

Kelly_Haller Dec 30, 2006 02:39 PM

The thing you need to watch when probing sub-adult to adult bloods is the depth the probe can go on females. Adult females will probe to depths over one inch and some up to one and a half inches, which is a range of about 4 to 6 subcaudals. Adult males will probe well over 2 inches and usually about 8 to 10 subcaudals, with large males probing close to 12. With very young bloods, the differences are less distinct and it may take some comparisons to really notice the differences. Young and older bloods that are aggressive, or heavily resist probing, are best sexed by restraining them in a cloth bag with the tail exposed. This will cause them to readily invert the hemipenes, or the scent glands in the case of a female. Care must be taken on young bloods that you do not mistake the smaller and shorter scent appendages on the female for male hemipenes. Additionally, larger bloods are extremely powerful, and getting them to relax somewhat to allow accurate probing can be difficult if you have one that is really tightening up and resisting. I am certain that some of you have experienced this scenario before. You just need to take your time and probe each side carefully a few times to ensure accuracy.

Kelly

Rich_Crowley Dec 31, 2006 10:13 AM

I agree with Kelly. Bloods in general are very "anal" and dislike any tail touching or probing for the most part. Even after years of handling these snakes, I am amazed at there incredible strength and the speed in which they shift from gelatonous blobs to rock hard muscles. If you do not restrain them properly during probing, they can easily hurt themselves.
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