Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it safe to Probe hatchlings? I have 7 at over 3 months old, some have doubled in weight and grown about 2" since birth, others have been untill recently trouble feeders so haven't grown much at all. I've visually sexed them but I want to be sure. My friend breeds alot of Corns and Boas etc... but even corns at birth are twice the length of a Western! He's agreeded to probe them for me if his smallest probe is small enough. What are the probe counts?

Thanks

You can probe them. However, these guys are really small and you need a probe that is really thin and has a smooth tip. Otherwise, you may do some damage. The probe I use is very thin, about 1/3 the diameter of a paper clip. Generally you can tell just by a visual check but I always double check because I guarantee that all my stock is properly sexed.
John Q

It is safe if you really know what you are doing, and have a very small probe. Then you have to be extremely gentle so as not to injure. I never probe hogs anymore. I just go visually, and have never had to deal with a wrong sexing. The difference is usually easy to see. to me, it's not worth the risk of injury.
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Greg Jackson

Guys I'll see if I can get my brother round to help me photo graph all the tails for a second opinion. I posted some up before but they weren't very good. I'd rather skip the probing if I can get a good second opinion on visuals.