sexing options

[yommy]

Hi all, just a general question.

In discussion today with a friend we where talking about different ways to sex pythons.
I've used the 'popping' and 'probing' methods and on the pilbara site Dave talks about the 'visual method', though when i try this way i did do a confirmatory prob to check and it was pretty accurate.

But my friend was saying that vets can x-ray them as well to prove sex. Is this true? and has anyone used this method. Is it 100% successful. He was saying it was a good way to do young GTP without damaging them, i'm just a bit dubous as i've not heard of it being done and thought i'd throw it out there for comment. Keen to see some other people's idea's on the subject.

[MoreliaMatt]

i would say you probably could although it wouldn't be common practice!
i beleive that xrays are pretty much the only way to accurately sex monitors?

[TrueBlue]

trouble with x-rays is that if they are kept under the radiation for to long it can render them sterile, if im not mistaken. Not a good thing to do i wouldnt think.

[yommy]

thanks for your reply's, making your animal sterile wouldn't be a good idea

[Chrisreptile]

i sex my snakes with the 'visual method' as i have a pair that have bred i had something to compare to.

now i can pick descent sized snakes fairly accurately.