Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 14 month old pueblian milk snake, and I was wodering if you could tell whether it is a male or felame based on distict physical features????

Let me know

BEN

no 'sexual dimorphism'-outward differences in appearences between the sexes-in milks...look at underside of tail...does it taper immediately and noticebly after the anal plate/cloaca?(female)or does the clear tapering begin a bit(at least a few sub-caudal scales' worth) after the cloaca?(male)...also look at it from the side of the tail to help make an educateed guess....you could probe it to be sure,but that requires a probe set,steady hand,and gentle touch so as to not do damage....do you have a set of probes?

The tail shape is the easiest way to tell them apart, but it takes a little experience.

Females have shorter tails that taper more quickly. They may actually be wider at first, but they quickly taper.

Males tails stay wider for longer.

Here is a slightly exaggerated drawing of the difference -

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Chris Harrison
Central Texas

I dont have a probe, i'll se if I can tell by the tail shape

i tried using the tail diagram, i'm thinking female, but i'm not at all confident.

Anyone have pics of milk snke tails (male/ femle)????

i just dot want to go through the hassle of probing

BEN

Ben,
The only way to properly sex colubrids is by "popping the hemi-penis out" or "probing". If you are not experienced with either technique I highly recommend you find someone who is in your area and have them do it for you. Baby snakes can easily be damaged if either is done to aggressively.

keep in mind poppoing is best for hatchlings/young snakes....harde to do with older ones,and not recomended either for adults...get some one to probe it....use mineral oil,or non spermicidal k-y(don't use a petroleum based product like vaseline)!