How to Tell the Sex of Snakes
Sexing a snake is a delicate process that requires experience and expertise. You cannot visually identify the gender of an adult snake without the use of a probe, but if you are comfortable with the procedure you will find telling the difference to be relatively straightforward. If you have never sexed a snake, it is best to have a professional demonstrate the procedure before you try it yourself.
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Instructions
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Coat the tip of the probe with lubricant. This will help with the insertion process.
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Insert the probe into the cloaca of the snake gently. This is a small horizontal opening near your snake's tail on the belly side.
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Push the probe down towards the tail until it stops. You must be very careful to avoid injuring your snake.
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Mark the probe so you will have a record of the depth of insertion.
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Remove the probe from the cloaca carefully and slowly.
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Hold the probe next to the tail and count the subcaudal scales. These are the horizontal scales on your snake's belly. Male snakes usually have a probe depth of nine scales or more, while females rank in at one to three. Measurements can vary significantly between snake species.
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Tips & Warnings
Choosing the right probe size is important. You should opt for the largest probe that can be comfortably inserted into the cloaca for accurate sexing and lower injury risk.
You should not attempt this procedure unless you have been specifically trained to perform it, to avoid injury to yourself or your snake.
You cannot conduct this procedure without the aid of another person to hold the snake steady. This person must pay close attention to the mouth of the snake to prevent bites.
References
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