Last updated : 01/04/2007
This page is indexed on our home page under Aspect: 4. Information & care sheets and the Section: Health Issues
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Last updated : 01/04/2007 |
This page is indexed on our home page under Aspect: 4. Information & care sheets and the Section: Health Issues |
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Determining the Sex of Snakes
Extracted from article by BILL ROOT & PAUL HOLLANDER (See full article)
SEXING AND BREEDING
A snake's sex can be determined in
several ways.
1. Probing. This is the most
reliable, but it should only be done by an experienced person. In this method, a
metal probe is slipped through the vent to check for the presence of a hemipenis,
the male copulatory organ. Every male has two hemipenes in the base of the tail.
2. A simple visual examination of the tail's length and thickness. The hemipenes
make the tails of males longer and thicker than the tails of females of the same
size. When looked at from the side, male tails are generally half as thick at
the middle as at the base. Female tails are usually half as thick a quarter of
the tail's length from the base. While learning, look at adult snakes of known
sex before trying it on juveniles and adults of unknown sex.
3. Spurs. Male boa constrictors and pythons have spurs on either side of the
vent that are longer than those of the females.
In general, breeding snakes requires closely copying their natural conditions.
This may include a seasonal day-night light cycle with a full spectrum light
like Duro-test's Vita-lite, winter cooling, and other factors. Although captive
breeding should be encouraged, it requires more dedication than simply keeping a
few snakes.
Further Reading
Determining the Sex of Snakes by VPI.com
SNAKE SEXING METHODS by Alan W. Zulich.
Some Aids On How To Visually Sex Snakes
A beginners guide to safe ways of sexing your corn snake. by David Kershaw of Captive Bred Snakes
Downloadable Corn Snake Sexing Videos by CornUtopia / Kathy Love
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Last update : 01/04/2007 |