Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there BP gurus..

I have heard rumors before of inept probing causing injury (revealing itself as unsuccessful breedings) in male pythons.
I work with a DVM who would like to practice probing, & since I have a definite male, she would like to have a feel for probing him. However, I may intend to breed him in the future, & if these rumors are true, I'd rather not have him be used as a guinea pig.

Even if they aren't, I don't feel entirely comfortable stressing him out that way for no real reason.. But I will feel better saying no if there is some data to back it up.

Thanks in advance for any/all input!

-Tami*

Hey Tammy, I don't blame you. I wouldn't want mine used for practice ether. I get the feeling you are afraid to not be nice. Don't be wishy washy about it. Say no, be firm and go on with your work. Good luck. Claude

I agree 100%. If anyone is going to practice probing my snakes it is going to be me. Say no.
Link

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www.fbballpythons.com

If she is gentle and careful, she won't hurt him. I learned/practiced on my adult males, as well as snakes at work, my babies... They're all fine.
The most common 'injury' that tends to happen with probing is an overzealous prober probes a female with too small a probe, and punctures the inside of her 'lady bits'. This is how you get false male probes... However, as long as it doesn't get infected, the puncture never closes up but the snake is still perfectly healthy and can still breed.

Basically, tell the vet to go gently, and take her time. If the snake is wiggling a lot, just wait a minute or two then try again. After you do it once, it's not hard to do it again.

~jenny
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"Polysyllabism in no way insures that what you're saying is actually worth being heard." - Blake (an e-friend of mine)

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