Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was told is's not a good idea to probe a snake, that was due to shed in a few days. Is this true ?

Never heard that before. Unless someone thinks it might prematurly break the shed from rough handling or the fact that their skin is more sensitive during that period. I can't think of a reason why not.

Maybe someone else will chime in for a reason.
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I don't need no spell chack.

I have never heard that either... but, i am curious to hear what the reason for that is??

~ Mike

I have heard that before, i was told it may result in an inaccurate reading, i always probe after a shed out of habit anyway.
Adam

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6.6 THAYERI
1.2 SPLENDIDA
1.3 ALTERNA
0.0.1 CORN SNAKE
0.1.1 PYXIE FROG
0.0.1 MEXICAN RED KNEE
1.0 CHILEAN ROSE HAIR

I don't know of anything that can happen to the snake with normal handling while probing. Probably the worst thing I can think of is the shed will tear and maybe maybe maybe form a band if there is a lot of struggling. The only difficulty I've experienced is if the skin to be shed does tear a little, the snake is a little slippery to hold from the fluid under the shed skin.
daveb

That if you probe during a shed cycle then yo could hit a sperm plug that may cause an inaccurate reading. Not sure that I'd put much stock in the sperm plug theory unless they are produced year round. This is just the reason I've heard.....not saying I believe it.

When I probed my little brothers corn, one side showed female. Other showed male. I went back to side that showed female, and it showed male.

I didn't see a sperm plug, but his corn is about 24 inches or so (not measured, but it seems to be a few inches longer than my 19" MBK), so even though it was a '06 hatchling, I wonder if I initially hit one.

It shed a few days later.
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3.6 L. getula californiae
1.1 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus
1.0 Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata