Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, I tried 6 out of 9 babies, but they all were kind of inconclusive. Some seemed deff. female, others would probe deeper but only 3-5 scales. I think I was just being a little timid. I've had a few very nice people offer to help show me, so looks like I'll be doing that.
I did probe and prove out Alpine as a male! yay! He had the 'BB' feel when he was born so it's nice to know I did that one right. It seems much easier to probe the larger snakes. He's an '03 albino from my first litter, he was the only one I kept (the litter was born premature and only 4 survived). I kind of like how this pic came out even though it's blurry.

No bites happened (although one tried!) and no pooping either. I really appreciate all of the tips and tricks (rolling the probe, using rubbing alcohol to clean in between snakes, etc) that were posted. Thank you all!
Puzzle, one of the babies I didn't probe yet, my pick of the litter from the hypo harlequins born in '06.

I really need to practice with this new camera! haha
TGIF!
-April

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'There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."' -Rainshadow

You don't have to pop or probe boas.....run your index finger along the underside of the tail starting at the cloaca and run them firmly but gently down the bottom and you will feel a bump or two if it is a boy about 1/2'-3/4" down from the cloaca, more or less.....you'll get the hang of it after a few tries....remember gently but firm.

I just read the post in its entirety and realized you tried that already...with practice its 100% accurate.....

I wanted to probe so I can verify if I was doing the rub method correctly.

thanks,
april
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'There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."' -Rainshadow

well... if you make it to the bbq, there will be plenty of pros there that can show you how to probe and palpate. lol.
i wouldn't mind picking up a few pointers myself.

anyways goodluck with the sexing!

-eddie

Thanks.
I hope I can make it but I already have plans to go to the Gilroy Garlic Festival that day, so it depends on what time I get back.
-April
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'There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."' -Rainshadow

I struggled with sexing boas after producing my first litters this year. I had 73 babies sitting there... all unsexed. I tried and tried the rub method but couldnt get it. What was happening is I was getting females. The trick is to find a baby male. I did this by taking them to a local vet here who happens to be a highly regarded snake vet. He got one out of 5 of the boas I brought to pop, clearly a male. And, even though he is a highly regarded snake vet, I later confirmed he mis-sexed one of my boas (via the popping method) as a female.

After I got a male determined I used him to determine the feel of the "bb's". Even with him, it took me a while to get it. At first I was A. Not applying enough pressure and B. Not going down far enough in the tail. After I figured it out and actually felt the bb's, I sexed the final 72 with ease.

I personally dont stick to using any specific hold or method, the boas are typically moving around and I do it alone so, I just go with the flow. Sometimes I would use my thumb under the cloaca and rub down... sometimes I would use my pointer finger.

I would suggest taking a known male and figuring out the rub method on him. It is the least intrusive way and, once you figure it out, by far the easiest.
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www.topnotchboas.com

Sounds good to me, that was the hardest part for me. I'd think one had the BB feel, but was never really sure or confident I was feeling the right thing.
Practice makes perfect I guess!
I like your idea of going to the vet to double check too.
Have a good one!
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'There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."' -Rainshadow

good luck it'll come to ya
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http://jpcboas.com