Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As the title states curious about sexing bloods. Is the popping method acceptable? From hatchling up to what size?? What about spur size differance? Thanks for your opinions.

For the most part, they are like any other python. I find popping them is easy (once you get the hang of popping, hahaha)up until couple weeks of age even couple months. Probing can be done after that. Just keep in mind, they are more "anal" than other snakes and will put up a fight. I surprise mine and position them in a way that does not allow them to violently fight. Larger animals definitely need two people.
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www.richcrowleyreptiles.com
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Rich is correct and be aware that large adult females, especially brongersmai, will commonly probe up to an inch and a half. I would never completely trust spur sexing any of the "curtus" group as the spur sizes between the sexes is extremely variable, and adult females sometimes have fairly substantial spurs. The exception maybe larger, older males with extra large spurs. That's about the only time I would trust it.

Kelly

Both Rich and Kelly have experience with these snakes and
these guys are sources you can trust for good information.

I would also recommend that you use the Bag Technique when probing larger bloods.
Large Bloods or Short Tail Pythons can sometime struggle a little while you are attempting to determine their gender. As adults they can often easily damage their own cervical vertebrae (neck bones) while resisting being restrained.
You can determine the gender safely with only one person, if you use the Bag Technique.

Simply place your snake in a large snake bag with the tail end protruding out of the bag.
I like to do this while kneeling down on the floor...I place the bagged blood between my legs and apply just enough pressure (with my legs and rump) to secure the animal. Then, I use one hand to hold the open end of the bag around the protruding tail and I probe with the other hand.

(I have seen some people use an appropriately sized rubber band to hold the end of the bag on...then they merely grip the tail with one hand and probe with the other.)

Personally I prefer not using the rubber band.
You easily can feel if the snake tries to start nosing its way forward in an attempt to come out of the open end of the bag.
The goal is to keep the snake's head pointed the other direction.
When restrained in this manner, there is usually very little struggling.

The snakes seem to remain more calm and relaxed.
In my opinion it is much easier to determine genders when a snake is relaxed....or at least less able to move about in resistance to our curiosity about their gender...lol.

I rarely (if ever) have had a blood that will attempt to bite through the bag. I have used this method with many, many large wild collected bloods over the years and it works very well.
I must admit....when straddling a big ole blood....I do think about my own sensitive regions...and I am glad that none have tried to bite through the bag!!!! LOL.

(You could also place a good sized bath towel over top of the bagged blood to help protect your own sensitive spots.)

This is a great method of sexing larger bloods.
I have used the two person method...and it does work.
However, I feel this method is safer for the snake, as they have no ability to harm themselves while you do your work.
It also keeps them very calm.
Like anything, it requires a little practice...especially to do when you are alone. But it works great.
Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Good luck.

Your friend,
Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!
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970-245-7611

Harlin, great detail on sexing bloods. Also want to caution that with more stressed/aggressive animals you should wear sloppy clothes or a raincoat, LOL.

Rich
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www.richcrowleyreptiles.com
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You could also use a large tube

Ya like a six inch PVC pipe!
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www.richcrowleyreptiles.com
Support your local herp society
www.chicagoherp.org

>>Ya like a six inch PVC pipe!
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LOL We would need poster tubes... And thats for the young ones.
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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Now, THAT'S the Smell of Experience!!!
(a raincoat....great advice)
LOL!

Take care Rich.

Your friend,
Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!
970-255-9255
970-245-7611

This is a good idea....probably for any snake with some size to them. Smaller snakes I can see working too, though could just hold the bag close with your legs instead of 'sitting' on the snake. (though most smaller snakes don't take much to gently restrain for probing I expect. But a feisty 4-5 foot adult ball python this technique would work too.

Definitely good to remind people to protect those sensitive parts. Saves the embarrassment of explaining the rows of teeth marks at the ER. LOL
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PHLdyPayne

HA HA!

Yeah....and then, imagine the look on their faces`, when you try to explain that you were "sexing" your snake when you got bit down there.

Your friend,
Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!
970-255-9255
970-245-7611

Holy crap! You guys crack me up. Very funny.

Nice information though, as always. I learn so much here.

I forgot to touch on it. It is by far the best way to sex larger bloods either with or without an assistant. This is because of the number one rule when working with bloods. You should never, for any reason, ever hold a blood python behind the head. They hate this more than anything else and can easily dislocate vertebrae in their struggles to break free. Even the tamest of all bloods will not tolerate being restrained behind the head. It should never be done for any reason. Take Harlin's advice and use the bag system.

Kelly

>>I forgot to touch on it. It is by far the best way to sex larger bloods either with or without an assistant. This is because of the number one rule when working with bloods. You should never, for any reason, ever hold a blood python behind the head. They hate this more than anything else and can easily dislocate vertebrae in their struggles to break free. Even the tamest of all bloods will not tolerate being restrained behind the head. It should never be done for any reason. Take Harlin's advice and use the bag system.
>>
>>Kelly

That is something very odd with them. I see this issue with my carpets a little, but they are arboreal. Almost every other heavy bodied snake I have dealt with has been wonderful with restraint.

I still remember the time I needed a tracheal flush on my borneo. I believe the exact words from her were,
"I Had no clue a snake that small could hold that much poop"

Then I happened to notice, she had already changed.
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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