Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, everybody!

I sexed a litter last night that's getting ready for a show. I always look at the tail as well as doing the rub method and then usually probe females just to be sure.

I've been doing it for a little while now and felt really good about the results last night without the probing.

I was just wondering how many people use exclusively the rub method and how many use it in conjunction with probing.

Thanks in advance!
Aaron
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www.voodoomagicboas.com

Been doing it for 10-ish years....works for Blood Pythons too....
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Chris & Alliey
Giantkeeper Reptiles Website
Giantkeeper Reptiles Blog
E-mail Us

I use the rub method as primary. I generally triple check before the boa goes out the door (three different days). I check spur size as secondary on females. And finally, I'll use bloating after a meal as additional confirmation as the lump in a male is usually VERY localized compared to a female which spreads out wider and longer with an equally sized meal.

jb
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What's written above is purely my opinion. In fact, MOST of what you read on the internet is someone's opinion. Don't take it too seriously

Jonathan Brady
DeviantConstrictors.com Site received a complete makeover! Check it out!

Hey Aaron!

Ever since Chris Canada-Smith showed me how to do it at a show and made sure that I was doing it right, I've used that method exclusively. But like JB said, I always triple check (sometimes quadruple check) the ones that "feel" like a female, just to be sure.

Amie

Plus, out of 12 babies, I got 7.5 so it's not like I wasn't finding any males.
I'm feel like I'm getting good at this technique. I'll also check them a couple more times, too.
Thanks again for your responses. Please let me know if you think of anything else.
Aaron
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www.voodoomagicboas.com

Been doing it this way for years and IMO is the best, least invasive method. Not to mention I get bit a whole lot less now that I "palpate" vs popping (with my Brazilian Rainbow Boas).

As the others mentioned, once you find the little knot (or two) it's a boy and you are done, lack of finding the knot means either it's a girl or you missed the knot so re-check. Once I got used to it, most of the time I know the sex even before I palpate from the muscle structure and tone in the tail.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count (02/01/2010):
42.61 BRB
27.40 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Thanks, Dave!
I rechecked again today and got the same results. I'll check them a third time as I sell them tomorrow but I feel really confident about my skills and this process now.
Thanks again!
Aaron
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www.voodoomagicboas.com

>> Once I got used to it, most of the time I know the sex even before I palpate from the muscle structure and tone in the tail.

I agree with this 100%!!!

jb
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What's written above is purely my opinion. In fact, MOST of what you read on the internet is someone's opinion. Don't take it too seriously

Jonathan Brady
DeviantConstrictors.com Site received a complete makeover! Check it out!

Thanks again, JB!
Are you going to the FIRE show this weekend?
I haven't seen you at any of the local shows lately.
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www.voodoomagicboas.com

What exactly is this rub method??? I'm sure I've seen or used it, but never heard the term before.
Thanks