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brumating...and popping

S

slinky

New member
Well, Pazoozoo had a name change :) Turns out the cousin named him after the demon Pazuzu in the exorcist. Not too keen on that, so now my son named him Neo (from the Matrix!) Kind of suits him since he's black and white/grey (anery).

On to my question(s): We've been keeping him on the porch which was perfect temp and humidity-wise up until now but the seasons will be changing soon here in Florida. It gets quite chilly out there in winter though not quite as chilly as being outside! Is it better to just leave him there and let him go into brumation naturally (obviously taking care on deep -freeze nights that he gets inside) or should I purchase a heat pad and bring him inside for the winter? What would be best for the snake?

I also have lingering doubs as to Neo's sex. From all the pics I've seen he/she looks like a female. But we took him back to the pet shop a week after we bought him (I didn't know then what i know now, I would have taken him to a vet instead) to have him sexed and pet shop dude said: "Looks like a female but let's see if we can pop it" Well something did pop out, but I've heard it could have been a scent gland? Anyone????
Once I've figured out how to use the camera i could post a pic. But the tail does taper quite suddenly after the vent.
Would that kind of popping injure the snake?

I have learned so much since coming to this forum, wish I'd known then what Ii know now!!
 
Well, brumation is only really encouraged if you are planning on breeding the animal int he following season, but since your animal is far too young, it really has no need for brumation. So, since the fluctuation of temps in a brumation state can be hazzardous, I would bring the little guy in, and get him a heating pad (ones from WalMart work fine and are cheap too!) to use once the indoor temps get a little lower. Set the heat on either low or medium to get one side of the cage up to about 80-85F, and your little one will be fine all winter.

As far as the popping is concerned, I would not allow anyone to do that for you unless you are certain that person is experienced in doing it. Popping is a harmless way to sex hatchlings, but it can be extremely harmful if it is done incorrectly. Spinal damage can bring about paralysis, and damage can be done to a female to the point that she cannot successfully reproduce in later life.

However, if you saw two little red/pink appendages come out of the cloaca, then your animal is a male. If you just saw a whiteish bump pushed outward with two little red dots on it, it is either a male that was unsuccessfully popped, or it is a female. Take it to a breeder, or a herp vet to know for certain. It is really difficult to tell the sex of a hatchling by the shape/taper of a hatchling. That technique is best used with much older animals.

Hope that helps a bit . . . :cool:
 
Thanks Darrin, you did help.
I'm unsure of what i saw - the kids were eager to see and I had to peek over them. It looked like one whitish bump to me. I think a visit to the vet is on the cards - I've been meaning to have Neo checked over anyway, but there's always something that hampers my cash-flow!!!
 
i would wait!!

i would wait till the snake is at least a year old in this case...popping is only certain if it is a male and the hemipenis pops out...if not it could still be a male...but then again you have to know what to look for and it has to be done properly...as i speak for myself i do pop...if its a male first time popping then i am sure...before i sell them i always pop 2 or 3 times (unless its a male already:)...its just such a delicate process to pop...if its done incorrectly with to much presure ppl can damage the female forever...while probing is far more certain(if correctly done ofcourse cause some ppl still dont know the right way to probe and insert into the belley!! or use to much pressure) but then again probing a lattle one is out off the question they have to be at least a year..
mariska
 
Point taken, Mariska, I can wait.
What exactly would the whitish bump be? If something like that protrudes, does it mean too much pressure was applied? Just me being quizzy.
 
slinky said:
Point taken, Mariska, I can wait.
What exactly would the whitish bump be? If something like that protrudes, does it mean too much pressure was applied? Just me being quizzy.
Click to expand...

no ...if instead of the hemipenis a white bump gets out its usually a female...but if the popping is not done correctly...the hemipenis will not appear and instead of the hemipenis a white bumb also is to be seen...thats why i pop the "females" always 2/3 times...just to be sure...and sometimes it just appears to be a male the second time...mostly cause i am might be too carefull:) just like i said its a very delicate process and better done twice and very very carefull then ones with to much pressure and an invertile snake...just like probing i would only let someone very experienced do that...sexing just is hard...popping is relatively save on hatchlings (i do after 4/5 feedings or second shed) probing is not done(best) before the snake is at least 9/10 months old or even a year. i alway say a year cause i know its a addicive hobby so if you get one you want to get more:)...and in my oppinion (not that i did it like that cause i had 10 within 6 months:)) its best to learn and get to know snakes and their behaviour and get a mate next breeding season and by then you would like to know the sexe :) but as i said i do advice like that now knowing what i know, but i didnt do it like that...within 6 months i had 5 corns 3 blue beauties and 2 boa`s(all off unknown sexe lol and if you are thinking off bredding in the future thats not advisible lol)
mariska
 
Thanks for the info Mariska.
That's PRECISELY why I want to have him sexed - my other son now wants one! (Actually, I do, lol) I homeschool the kids and think it would be an awesome experience for them to see the whole breeding process. It must be so exciting seeing them pip!
 
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