Probing... how long to wait?

[east_stingray]

Hey all. My rtb is not very old (just did first shed, about 18 or 19 inches long) and I was wondering how long I need to wait before I get him sexed. Is there some age or length that I need to wait for or is anytime ok? Thanks in advance.

-East
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[bensnacks]

From my little experience I would say wait
until the animal is at least two foot long.
There is a method other than probing that
can establish whether your snake is a male,
it envolves manipulating the muscles around
the tail area (too hard to explain here you would
have to be shown) it is also not necessairily
conclusive.
That doesn't help much does it. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img]
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[eddie]

Yeah Ben,
The other way is called popping. I havent done it yet, but it would be better to wait and get probed later.
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[Dragon]

Manually everting the hemipenes, or Popping, should only be done by somebody with experience and only when the snake is quite young. As they get older and develop better control of the muscles used to evert their hemipenes "Popping" them becomes dangerous as I believe the muscles can be damaged during the process.
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[east_stingray]

Ok, guys, thanks for all of the advice and I will wait a while before getting him probed. Just out of curiosity, none of you live anywhere in/near central Arkansas, do you? When I get moved, I need to find a good herp vet.

-East
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[cb76]

hello

you can probe right after they are born! there is no such thing as a 2 ft rule.

when probing, reguardless of size or age- YOU MUST USE THE RIGHT SIZE BALL TIPPED PROBE! YOU DONT WANNA DAMAGE THE LIL' SNAKIES RIGHT [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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[Ti]

Just as a suggestion, I wouldn't pop a boa. Call me a *insert adjective\noun here*, but I think that the muscle structure in boas may have long term problems from poping as a neonate. If you NEED to absolutley know the sex of your snake, take it to a vet and have them probe for you.

If you decide to do it yourself, be very gentle. As for waiting, I would wait until they shed at least once. And I absolutley agree with CB76, you must use the right sized probe, or you might inadvertantly sterilize your snake. That would suck!

I have a document that I made up that shows the steps, and walks you through the process of probing if anyone is interested. Maybe I'll send it to Lori to post in the "How To" setion here at RTB.
Good Luck!
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[morti]

OK TI, you *insert adjective\noun here*, [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] I think we would definately benefit from that document! e-mail it to me.

morti@redtailboa.net

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[JuliusSqueezer]

I've always been afraid to post such a thing for fear that someone will cut a corner and try to use a coathanger. PLEASE...even if you understand the procedure, BUY a set of ball end probes and have someone experienced in probing SHOW you in person how to hold the snake and how to probe IN PERSON. The actual act of probing is very simple...The real trick is in holding a snake in such a way as he can't inchworm his way up and impale hisself onto the probe.
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