Reptile & Amphibian Forums

need to be sexed. As stupid as it sounds.........I too chicken to pop them.
Thanks a ton,
John
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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

I don't know of any vets to recommend in your area, but I do have a suggestion that might help! (hopefully)
This isn't foolproof, but what you can try is holding the tail between your thumb and forefinger and firmly running your thumb down the tail from the vent. If it's a male and you're doing it right, you'll most likely feel the hemipenes (a little lump) without having to pop at all. They'll be below the vent a little ways. Females, you won't feel anything. Obviously, it's not foolproof because you can be mistaken about females if you somehow miss the hemipenes, but once you feel the hemipenes on the male, you can pretty much guarantee it's a male. I hope I've explained it right. It's alot easier to actually do than it is to explain! lol
Oh well, you'll probably still need help, but at least you can give this a try!
Amanda
Burke Reptiles

I just cringe when I see people probing and popping baby boas. There is no need.

When you do it, you will two little bb's jump as you slide your thumb down. Once you find a male, and get the feel of it...you will always know how to do it.

Hope this helps!

I just want to be able to "sell" the correct sex to people. I'd feel like an @SS if I goofed it up. I want to be able to do it on my own. I would hate to pay someone to do it for me.
I will practice some more.
John
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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

Linda showed me how to do that. But, I've lost the "touch".
My problem with popping is they all look like females to me. I just can't be right. 20 females...........and one male.
I AM SOOOOO FRUSTRATED!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the help though. I appreciate it!!
Take care,

John
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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

Instead of a vet, I would try to find a fellow herper though a local herp society and find someone there who is willing to help you learn. Sometimes vets don't know what they are doing, not all but some. I hate sexing snakes, hate it, and rarely do it. Jason has showed me how and I have done it, but I just don't like doing it. The only thing I can tell you for certain is on a dumerils. I've never been wrong on one of those....LOL. But that is what I would, find someone to show you how and practice while in their company.

Hope the house is coming along for you!!

Danni SMILE
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Danni
My Email
Our Website
www.germanshepherds.com Koda's Mom

SMILE SMILE

I might just do that. I have a vet appointment. But, I am feeling kind of leery about having a vet sex them as well. I just imagine a person grabbing a book and trying from there. I was just hoping that there was actually a "good" herp vet in my area as well.
Take care,
John
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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

I know your dilemma. The method Amanda suggested definitely works. Between 1/2 and 1" behind the vent. "Like a pair of small bb's." I use my index finger on the bottom, thumb on the back. Another method is and spur morphology, if they are big enough. Male and female spurs have a different appearance from each other. Males are very claw-like and pronounced, while females are more conical and recessed. Use this to back up you findings from feeling the tail.

Here is some info to a possible reptile vet in your area. I am not sure how old the info is.....

Santa Rosa
Randall Popkin, DVM
Sequoia Valley Veterinary Hospital
604 Elsa Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Tel: (707) 545-7387

I wish you the best with them. How are they developing?

Jesse
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"Continuing to cling to the patterns you know, inhibits your ability to discover what you don't know." - Eric Allenbaugh