Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Sexing snakes

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Never shed Spiderqwan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Manchester
    Posts
    30
    Country: England

    Sexing snakes

    Can you tell the sex of a snake by simply looking at it i'm pretty sure this is a male as the head seems small and the tail thin is this a good indication, or is there a simple method that doesn't involve probes or trying to expose the sex organs?
    Last edited by Spiderqwan; 12-05-2006 at 04:41 AM. Reason: Wrong photo

  2. #2
    Brother Snake GarterGuy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Lancaster,PA
    Posts
    1,351
    Country: United States

    Re: Sexing snakes

    Unfortunately there's not a really easy method, if you want to be 100% sure. Probing is the only...almost 100% way, and hemipene eversion is only reliable if it's a male....cause they'll be there, but if you don't see anything it doesn't guarantee it's a female and you can only do it with young snakes. Pretty much all garters have long thin tails (makes sexing them harder then other colubrids). What you want to try and look for is to see how the tail comes off the body. If after the cloaca (the opening at the base of the tail) the tail really constricts or doesn't smoothly continue it's probably a female....if the tail stays thick and doesn't slant sharply after the cloaca, it's probably a male. The secondary sexual characteristics that you mentioned do make it sound like a male, but again, it's no guarantee. Good luck...oh and good looking snake, whatever sex it is.

  3. #3
    Former Moderator Cazador's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Alaska, USA
    Posts
    1,608
    Country: United States

    Re: Sexing snakes

    Like Roy mentioned, sexing young snakes by the visual method can be difficult. The erector muscles that evert the hemipenes get larger as a male snake matures, and they become easier to see. Popping isn't practical on a snake of that size. That leaves probing as the most reliable option, but this method has risks if you don't learn the technique properly. If you post a good enough picture of the snake's underside including at least about 3" above and below the vent, we might be able to offer second and third opinions. The tail and body have to be straight, and the snake has to be fairly relaxed (not stretched out). The point-of-view of the picture should be from the snake's centerline.
    Rick

  4. #4
    Juvenile snake suzoo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Missouri, USA
    Posts
    169
    Country: United States

    Re: Sexing snakes


    This is Gloria, she is a female T. Radix. See how her tail dramatically gets smaller after her vent.


    This is Gerby, a male T. Radix. Notice how his tail does not taper off as dramically
    Last edited by suzoo; 01-29-2007 at 09:44 AM.

  5. #5
    "Preparing For Second shed" Pinky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    202
    Country: Canada

    Re: Sexing snakes

    Ahh, thanks for posting the pictures! lol

    we weren't sure, but after seeing the picture's we're pretty sure "pinky" is actually female (thank God with a name like that haha)

  6. #6
    "First shed In Progress" RedSided's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    92
    Country: Wales

    Re: Sexing snakes

    Was never 100% on the sex of my snake, breeder said she was female when I got her so I took his word for it , turns out he was right, I think the name Speedy would have worked either way though .
    Does your water bowl look like a toilet, it does? Guess I will have to change it again

  7. #7
    "Preparing For Second shed" Pinky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    202
    Country: Canada

    Re: Sexing snakes

    True enough. Speedy can be used either or. I don't think "Pinky" could tho, lol. Well it could, but ppl might think we were odd if they found out she was male and called Pinky lol

    She's adorable tho. I'll have to get some pictures of her up!
    Marc & Marie

Similar Threads

  1. sexing problems...
    By garterman07 in forum General Talk
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 05-26-2007, 06:25 PM
  2. sexing?
    By vwsrcool in forum Breeding
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 02-10-2007, 01:54 AM
  3. help sexing...
    By bob in forum Breeding
    Replies: 36
    Last Post: 01-29-2007, 01:13 PM
  4. Sick concinnus babies... and sexing...
    By KITKAT in forum Urgent Care
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 01-07-2007, 11:01 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •