Boy or girl

[shaggybill]

Daddy, how do you tell a boy snake from a girl snake?

[snakemann87]

it depends on the type, you may be able to tell by the tail shape, spur sizes, scale count. But the most effective and accurate way is by probing.

[shaggybill]

Although I am not particularly in probing at this point, could you explain to me how its done?

[Matt]

first you lube, then you insert a metal probe (relative to the size of the snake), into the cloaca of the snake.
If the snake is a male, the probe will go in futher than if it is a female.
there are specific numbers of scales each sex should probe to, but thht is very much species specific.

Just as a side note, i noticed this post is in the venomous forum.
No problem, but next time, if the question is general could you post in the general discussion forum. It just keeps everything neater and easier to find.
Thanks Shaggybill :)

[shaggybill]

My bad. I'll remember that next time. This is the only forum I ever come to, so it didnt even cross my mind. thanks for the info

[snakemann87]

if you arent sure please do not attempt to though. If you would like to learn, call an experience herper in your area, or a vet and have him/her do it and ask if they could explain it while he/she's doing it.

[shaggybill]

I dont plan on trying. I dont even have any snakes. I like 'em better in the wild. But I try to learn as much as possible about them...

[Gregg M]

With Bitis it is fairly easy to tell....... Males will have a longer tail than a female....... Females have very short tails in comparison....... And you dont even have to have a male and female next to eachother to tell........ But sometimes you get a snake that falls right inbetween and it gets alittle tricky.....

[reverendsterlin]

Generally when probing a female will probe at 2-3 subcaudal scales, a male at 7-14 subcaudals (basically the length of a hemi-*****). The biggest danger of probing is false male readings caused by puncturing through the females internal wall and possibly causing septisemia(sp?)

[BWSmith]

everting can be alittle tricky. Often it gives false females.

[J_Riley]

I was of the understanding that "popping" only worked on young snakes that haven't got full control over their reproductive muscles yet.