How soon can I sex hatchlings?

[Iris]

Do I have to wait until after the first shed or can I go ahead and sex them right now? I'm planning to use the popping method, and yes, I have seen it done and tried it before.

 

[TripleMoonsExotic]

I have 2 yearling that I'm afraid to sex even now! I probe though, no popping. Note, I'm used to burly ball pythons, not corns!

 

[Iris]

I'm so impatient..they're just too cute! They're not actually mine but I'm their babysitter for a couple weeks.

 

[TripleMoonsExotic]

well aren't they adorable?! babysitting, huh? i think you should be keeping one as payment!

 

[surfrkidTS]

I may be evil, but I would say they all died and just keep them all under your bed... j/k. but not that keeping one isn't a good payment.......

 

[bmm]

I have no answer for you but those are just soooo cute!

bmm

 

[Gregg]

I think, since you are only baby-sitting them and they are not your snakes, that you should not bother them. Let the owner deal with sexing them.

I'm always telling my soon to be 9 yr. old son, "If it ain't yours, don't muck with it!"

 

[Iris]

Normally that's excellent advice to folow, but I'm going to be sexing them eventually (the owner doesn't know how and asked me to take care of it) and I was just wondering, you know, if it's ok to sex them now or if it's better to wait til after their first sheds.

I was offered some hatchlings but I just can't take on the additional responsibility at this time. They're easy now, but they grow mighty fast! Plus, it was enough of a reward to watch them hatch

 

[Darin Chappell]

Yes, you can sex them immediately. Even so, I usually wait until after they've used up their yolk sacks, when they're looking for that first meal. Just remember that they're little guys and gals; it doesn't take much pressure at all to pop a hatchling male.

Good luck with them!