Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had a creamsicle corn snake for about 2 and a half months now. The pet store didn't tell me whether it is male/female. I really want to know but I am way too inexperienced for probing and the snake is still 18", so I don't think that I can tell yet by the shape and size of the tail. Any suggestions? Will a vet charge me a rediculous amout to sex my snake for me?

corn_snake_dude@yahoo.com

Thanks a lot!!!

Well if you have patience and good eye sight, try this:

Wait until you get a good shed from it and then count the belly scales. First count the scales from the head to the vent. Then count the scales from the vent to the tail tip. Subtract the number of tail scales from the belly scales. The number you get will give you a good idea of the sex. A number smaller than 154 is a male, a number larger than 154 is a female.

Example:

Ventral scales = 230
Subcaudal scales = 81
Difference = 149

Verdict: Male (
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alstiver@hotmail.com

1.0 2001 Hypo snow cornsnake
0.1 2002 Pastel Ghost cornsnake
1.1 2002 Bloodred cornsnakes
0.1 1998 Het Hypo, Het Caramel cornsnake
1.0 2000 Hypo Het Caramel cornsnake

That is so cool! Thank you so much for your reply. My snake is blue right now! I hope that he will shed within a couple of days. I'll try it! One problem: the last shed came off in a few pieces. I hope I can get a full shed. How can I soak him/her without stress? Thank you so much for your reply!

corn_snake_dude@yahoo.com

Cool!!!

You can put a moist hide box in the cage for it to use, that will help. I use old cool-whip containers with a hole in the side, filled with moistened papertowels. Mine seem to love them.

Or if you do want to soak it, fill a large bowl/dishpan with half and inch of room temp (or slightly warmer) water. Don't force him to stay in the water. Just lay him in the water and let him crawl back into your hands. Do this a couple times until you think he's been in the water enough.

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alstiver@hotmail.com

1.0 2001 Hypo snow cornsnake
0.1 2002 Pastel Ghost cornsnake
1.1 2002 Bloodred cornsnakes
0.1 1998 Het Hypo, Het Caramel cornsnake
1.0 2000 Hypo Het Caramel cornsnake

According to this method, Its a BOY!!!
ventral scales=222
subcaudal scales=74
difference=148

Verdict: male

Hey thanks a lot! How accurate is this method?

It's a BOY!!!

corn_snake_dude@yahoo.com

Pretty accurate I've used in on ones I know the sex of and it was right. Congrats on the baby boy
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Dianne
AKA IcedGoddess
6.7 Cornsnakes
1.3 Cats
0.1 Child
IcedGoddess Creations
Castle Serpents

The farther the number is from 154 the more accurate it is. If you had ended up with 152 or something like that you would be less sure that it is a male.
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alstiver@hotmail.com

1.0 2001 Hypo snow cornsnake
0.1 2002 Pastel Ghost cornsnake
1.1 2002 Bloodred cornsnakes
0.1 1998 Het Hypo, Het Caramel cornsnake
1.0 2000 Hypo Het Caramel cornsnake

Does this work with other NA rats as well?? I have a hunch my normal corn may very well be a female!!! I have thought it was a male the whole time, and one of the guys in our local herp society sexed it for me last week, and we think it might be a female. He has just started sexing snakes so we werent 100% certain it was actually a female, but I just did your scale count method and ended up with 164!! So that is pretty indicative it is a female!! :^)

Im gonna have Phil Peak look at it to make sure. That would be really cool if it is a female. If so, she is one big girl. A little over 48", probably close to 50", and fairly thick!

Thanks!

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1.0 Corn snake (KY locale)
1.0 Black rat snake (KY locale)
1.0 Albino Black rat snake (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Everglades rat snake (Dwight Good stock)
0.1 Yellow rat snake (Dwight Good stock)
1.1 California king snake (Coastal phase)
1.0 Prairie king snake (KY locale)
0.1 Black king snake (KY locale)

Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

I have no idea if it works for ratsnakes too or not. Sorry. You could always try it with known animals and see for yourself, since you have some. I don't have anything other than corns, so I can't try it myself.
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alstiver@hotmail.com

1.0 2001 Hypo snow cornsnake
0.1 2002 Pastel Ghost cornsnake
1.1 2002 Bloodred cornsnakes
0.1 1998 Het Hypo, Het Caramel cornsnake
1.0 2000 Hypo Het Caramel cornsnake