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It is a very unreliable way of sexing but if you do not know how to probe it is the best you can do. If you want to know the difference in sex keep in mind that the males have two hemipenises in their tail so the tail has to be wider than a females tail. This first example is my female Bloodred. I pointed out where the cloaca is. As you can see right after the cloaca the tail is narrow. So 'Female'

Second pic is my female Okeetee.. A little bit louzy pic but definatly 'Female' (I have probed all of them btw)

Now here is a good 'Male' example. Look how long and thick the tail is right after the cloaca. Great example.

My female Ghost. Shot narrow tail.

My Male Snow. Again a thick and very long slow tapering tail.

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Marcel Poots (Holland)

'Where is your crown King Nothing?' James Hettfield

Marcels snakepage

my local breeder can "pop" to sex nearly any snake I've seen. My creamsicle I got from him yesterday he popped it in a second with such speed I couldn't even tell what he did but he DEFINITELY popped out the hemipenis like .5" with no effect on the snake what so ever...

I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to learn how to do that, anyone know of any good guides online?

You should ask that breeder by you to give you a lesson in popping, rather than trying it alone from pictures online. I feel it's necessary to be given a demonstration and have someone right there to help you for the first few tries. It's a little tricky, as you can seriously damage the snake if you manipulate the tail too hard. But basically, all you do is apply a little pressure with your thumb and "roll" the hemiphenes up and out the vent. It's really something that has to be shown rather than explained. LOL!

Marcel, I'm surprised you say visual tail sexing is unreliable. Everything I have red says otherwise. I have found that it's extremely hard to tail sex baby and juvenile corns...until they've matured a little, the differences aren't very distinct to my eyes.

I was at a reptile show where Kathy Love happened to be. I was waiting in the background to ask a question about a snake I eventually purchased. Someone else came up and asked her about popping a snake. I watched silently in the background as she demonstrated technique to this other person. The demonstration, while not aimed at me, stuck solidly in my mind. when my kingsnakes hatched I re-ran the memory of her little teaching moment, and VOILA... it was as easy as pie! (of course I got 7 males out of 7 hatchlings!). I'm attaching a picture. It's a kingsnake, but I think that the technique is the same.

I'm hoping my next group of hatchlings will have SOME females!

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~Sasheena

When I asked that question some kind person gave me this link. I promptly ordered the video tape. It's a good tape and nice to have in the library. http://www.drseward.com/New_Site/NWsexingdetail.htm

Ok, I have one question....keep in mind I am new at all of this, but when you "pop" them, when you let go do they go back in or do you have to manupliate them back in place?
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Blessed Be
Aradia
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1 Albino- Eden
1 Snow- Sage

They go back in on their own when you release the pressure.

This may sound silly but I'll tell you what popping reminds me of...Have you ever played with a snail? You know how their little feelers stick out and if you touch them, they'll go in and shoot right back out again?? Well, popping a snake is just like that, only opposit. You roll your finger gently and the hemiphenses pop out and as soon as you release the pressure, they spring back inside.

(Ok, guys...quit laughing at my silly snake analogy!! LOL!)

>>Marcel, I'm surprised you say visual tail sexing is unreliable. Everything I have red says otherwise. I have found that it's extremely hard to tail sex baby and juvenile corns...until they've matured a little, the differences aren't very distinct to my eyes.

I think probing is one sure way to tell what gender a snake is. I have a female Amel Motley which I on purpose did not show in this post. She has a huge thick tail. I have probed her more than once to be sure she is not a male. Looking at the tail you would say Male for sure. Almost every breeder will say it is not the most reliable way of telling gender. But maybe some have better trained eyes than I do

Marcel
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Marcel Poots (Holland)

'Where is your crown King Nothing?' James Hettfield

Marcels snakepage

I'm sure you're right, Marcel. You have much more experience than I do at this. To me, it's like looking at people from far away...You learn the silhoette and it's easy. But, I really have a hard time with young snakes.

I'd love to see this female that looks like a male! Can you post a picture for me?

>>I'm sure you're right, Marcel. You have much more experience than I do at this. To me, it's like looking at people from far away...You learn the silhoette and it's easy. But, I really have a hard time with young snakes.
>>
>>I'd love to see this female that looks like a male! Can you post a picture for me?

I am at work right now so I can't take a tail pic right away. But here you can see a bit she has a very long tail from above..

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Marcel Poots (Holland)

'Where is your crown King Nothing?' James Hettfield

Marcels snakepage

Yes, she does!! LOL! But, it's not the tail length, it's the shape of the tail just beyond the vent. That snake looks female to me. If the vent is where I think it is, the tail immediately tapers from the vent.

She has a middle wide tail. I would have guessed mail. I agree from above in this pic she looks female.

Marcel

>>Yes, she does!! LOL! But, it's not the tail length, it's the shape of the tail just beyond the vent. That snake looks female to me. If the vent is where I think it is, the tail immediately tapers from the vent.
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Marcel Poots (Holland)

'Where is your crown King Nothing?' James Hettfield

Marcels snakepage