Sexing Baby Snakes

[jjhill001]

I've been keeping snakes for the better part of 18 years or so and one thing that I've never done is actually breed them, this was for various reasons. I had a pair of brooksi but had to sell them off when I joined the military. So I wanna do it, I feel its a natural progression of my hobby, I have a pair of Baird's and feel like the market is open enough that I wouldn't have too much trouble moving the babies (didn't wanna just add another corn snake or ball python and compete in that giant mess) I'm not in this to start some big breeding program but I just want to help increase the availability of an under appreciated species

One thing on all caresheets for ANY snake in regards to sexing baby snakes is this: Probing or popping should only be performed by an experienced individual.

Well I don't know any breeders, at least in person. Is it fair that these recommendations are more for average pet store buyer so they don't just break their snakes in half? Is it easier than some make it out to be? Would you say I'm probably good watching a few youtube videos and just doing it.

This is kind of fun, I've researched it tons before but now it's much more real if that makes sense. I'm getting those same excited jitters I got when I was on my way to pick up my first snake.

What strategies/tips do any of the more experienced breeders on the forum have for me?

[Tiny Boidae]

I don't have any experience with this, and I feel like this might be distracting too much from the thread, but definitely let me know if you end up producing some P. bairdi. I'd be very interested in that. Good luck though! Sorry if this was a little off topic, I don't mean to distract.

[trailblazer295]

Do you know what species of snake you would want to breed? Someone with experience sexing those snakes would be able to chime in.

I don't breed nor do I know how to sex. But I think smaller species equaling tiny babies would be harder then bigger ones.

[regi375]

Sorry to say, but I dont have any experience with this. I am curious to find out more though.

[Andy_G]

Popping is very easy in some species and harder in others. Most kingsnakes and ratsnakes are very easy for example, while blood pythons and hognose are a bit harder for one reason or another (sometimes musk glands can look like hemipenes such as with bloods, and sometimes the hatchings just don't pop very easily as with the hognose...thankfully hogs are quite sexually dimprohic with their tails). The best thing you really can do is find someone at an expo who can help you practice or find someone by any means of networking close by that is experienced. If you're comfortable watching youtube videos and trying it, then go for it, but you won't get a feel for the proper pressure to use without someone helping you hands on.

[GyGbeetle]

One of my rescues was sexed improperly and she has a kink on her tail as a result of this. It's not bad, but if it's close enough to the vent, it can create problems. If you can link up with an experienced breeder either in your area, or available via video chat, they may be able to walk you through how to sex your particular species of snakes. Those warnings are for the general population, imho. Experienced keepers, ones that know and understand *their* breed of snake, will most likely have better success and less likely hurt their preciouses.

[jjhill001]

I don't have any experience with this, and I feel like this might be distracting too much from the thread, but definitely let me know if you end up producing some P. bairdi. I'd be very interested in that. Good luck though! Sorry if this was a little off topic, I don't mean to distract.

Well they won't be producing this year. They are probably of age and size but I'm giving them an extra year just because. I'll definitely be posting updates on the progress for them though so stay tuned.

[Tiny Boidae]

Well they won't be producing this year. They are probably of age and size but I'm giving them an extra year just because. I'll definitely be posting updates on the progress for them though so stay tuned.

Oh I guessed that. I won't be able to take in any more snakes until around December anyways due to space constraints. I'll definitely keeping an eye on your updates though.

[Albert Clark]

The main skill in sexing any snake is first doing the research. Literature, video tutorials, having someone versed in the procedure and willing to visibly show you up front and in person. Then memorizing your landmarks on the animals body based on the age and size of the animal. Lastly is continued practice, practice , and practice. That will only come with time bc you shouldn't repeatedly "pop" the same animal over and over at any given practice session.

[pet_snake_78]

Whats going to happen if you dont have someone show you multiple times is you're going to pronounce animals as female that are males. Just my .02