Tula_Montage
It's Jager time!
I thought I would try to document my methods of probing. I have used a large, very gentle adult male. I was able to do this by myself as I know his reaction to the probes, and knew he would not hurt himself when I was taking pictures at the same time. He sat very still like a true champ!
This is the surgical steel snake probe with rounded end. ( I prefer ball ends but there has been no documented evidence to suggest that this benefits the process), 1mm in diameter. Lubricated with vaseline.
The males tail shape and cloaca.
Holding the tail between my first finger and thumb, I gently pull back the cloaca with my thumb to expose the delicate tissue and entrance to his hemipene pocket.
I gently inset the tip of the probe into the right side of his cloaca, applying VERY light pressure and twisting the probe to help it move in a bit deeper.
I then continue to push the probe in deeper to find the base of his hemipene. You will feel it stop once it is all the way in, be sure not to push any further than this as it could cause internal injury. The probe should be parallel to his ventral.
Once it has stopped, I then put my finger at the top of the probe near his cloaca and gently pull it out. I can then assess how deep the probe went in. In this case, hes a well hung boy LOL. Males generally probe 2/3 inches.
And thats all there is to it! I may do a female and photograph it but it's not really necessary. Females tend to stop very suddenly and probe maybe 1/2 an inch at most. Please note these are my methods that I have learned from someone who has vast experience with sexing snakes. It is not wise to try it on your own with no help to hold the snake for your first time.
This is the surgical steel snake probe with rounded end. ( I prefer ball ends but there has been no documented evidence to suggest that this benefits the process), 1mm in diameter. Lubricated with vaseline.
The males tail shape and cloaca.
Holding the tail between my first finger and thumb, I gently pull back the cloaca with my thumb to expose the delicate tissue and entrance to his hemipene pocket.
I gently inset the tip of the probe into the right side of his cloaca, applying VERY light pressure and twisting the probe to help it move in a bit deeper.
I then continue to push the probe in deeper to find the base of his hemipene. You will feel it stop once it is all the way in, be sure not to push any further than this as it could cause internal injury. The probe should be parallel to his ventral.
Once it has stopped, I then put my finger at the top of the probe near his cloaca and gently pull it out. I can then assess how deep the probe went in. In this case, hes a well hung boy LOL. Males generally probe 2/3 inches.
And thats all there is to it! I may do a female and photograph it but it's not really necessary. Females tend to stop very suddenly and probe maybe 1/2 an inch at most. Please note these are my methods that I have learned from someone who has vast experience with sexing snakes. It is not wise to try it on your own with no help to hold the snake for your first time.
