Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My brb is around 16 to 20 inches long. Will an experienced vet be able to sex it with accuracy? I believe that it is too old for popping - even if that is ok for newborn brb's. I am looking for input so I can either take it to a show or leave it at home. I do not want to take it to the show and cause it stress, if it is not big enough to be sexed.

Also, are there any tell-tale signs of a brb's sex? I know the tails of many species is a good indicator, but not sure if that applies to brb's.

It may still pop.. if not let a vet or a herper w/ experience prope it. There are no visable that are reliable.
-----
photos.xtremecombatsports.com

The most reliable, non-invasive way to sex a BRB of any age is to "palp" for hemipenes.

Begin by placing your thumb against the animal's spinal column and your forefinger against the animal's ventral surface about 3 o4 four inches above the vent (towards the head). Run your fingers towards the animal's tail while applying gentle but consistent pressure. If it's a male, then 5 to 8 ventral scales past the vent you will feel a couple of small bumps as you pass the hemipenes. No bumps, no hemipenes, not a male. Falsly sexing a male is pretty hard to do. Females can be a little tough. This technique works best if you have a couple of animals to compare.

I wouldn't necessarily count on a vet unless they have experience with snakes. Good luck with him/her.
-----
Mike Lockwood
www.tooscaley.com

Ditto on the palp method Mike mentioned. My BRB pair were sexed by two different very reliable breeders when I got them as babies and so they worked well for me learning what to feel for in the males. Once you notice what the bumps feel like they are hard to miss.

Also I would never suggest bringing any animal to a show unless you are either a vendor there or returning an animal to a vendor. Every show I have helped with or attended had strict no outside animal rules. This forces whoever you wanted to deal with the animal, assuming they are willing, to come outside the show to help you. Thats on top of environmental stress to the animal(although if your carefull that would be minimal).

The one sexing option I would suggest as an alternative to vets of unknown skill is to try and contact a reliable breeder in your general area. Even better if the breed rainbow boas. In addition to word of mouth you can possibly locate such a breeder by talking to the employee's/owners of any local pet stores which seem to be knowledgeable and skilled with herp's. If they actually are good with the herp's they sell then they should know both reliable local breeders and skillfull rep vet's that could be trusted to sex without damaging the animals.

Good luck,

Sean.

Thanks for the input.

The show in Chicago area charges $5 per outside animal brought in. The show has a retired vet that will sex snakes - i think for $2. I figured this person would have a lot more experience vs. my local reptile vet, so the sexing should be more accurate.

Thanks for the info on how to 'palp' as that seems to me to be the best meethod for the snakes health.