Probing Cali Kings

[HeRpZ03]

Hey, i have an unsexed cali king and would just like to know the distance that the probe goes in for males and females. Thnx in advance, :D

Allan.

[vanderkm]

Measured in the number of ventral scale widths - females would be less than 4 (usually only a couple scales back), males usually 7 or more - can be almost the full length of the probe - just based on what I recall - has been a while since I probed cal kings. I hoped someone who had probed more cal kings than I have would have responded by now - but not, so this is what I can suggest.

We have found our adult (over 2 year old) males have really prominant bulges in the tail and just looking at the tail width is a pretty good indicator with our cal kings (much better than with our corns).

mary v.

[HeRpZ03]

Thnx for the response, by any chance would you have any pics of the "bulges" at the base of the tail on ur males?

Allan.

[vanderkm]

Not the best photos, but some to give you an idea -

male mexican kingsnake side view - thick from the vent for quite a distance back - where the hemipene bulge is between two red lines

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/63Male_tail_side_view.jpg

view from underneath - bulge between the two black lines
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/63Male_tail.jpg

an albino cal king - not labeled but you can see the bulge in his tail after the vent (where the yellow stripe is interrupted)
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/63Elvis_tail.jpg

couple pics of female corn for comparison - tail tapers sharply after vent, minimal bluge when seen from beneath (not the best female example, but only pic I had handy)

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/63winslow_ae_tail.jpg
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/63winslow_ad_tail.jpg

hope these help,

mary v.

[HeRpZ03]

Thnx for the help! :D and from comparing the photo's with my snake, it appears to be a female but i'm going to have it probed just to make sure. Don't want to end up buying a male and end up with two males. Well thnx again for all the help :D

[vanderkm]

No problem - I would definately get it probed before buying a mate - tails are just suggestive - not possible to be sure, especially with one that looks like a female. It is like popping - if they pop or bulge you can be sure it is a male, if no pop or tail bulge - can't be sure of anything!

mary v.