How to Tell if Your Colombian Red-Tail Boa Is a Male or a Female

There are differences between male and female red tailed boas that allow you to determine whether they are male or female, primarily in the sex organs. Hemipenes are a male characteristic; these are long, inverted double penii that determine the length of the tail. Hemipenial homologs are a female characteristic; these are shorter pockets that the female has instead of hemipenes. Cloacal probing is the least invasive method of accurately determining the sex organs of your snake.

Things You'll Need

  • Assistant
  • Probe
  • Lubricant
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Instructions

    • 1

      Have an assistant restrain your snake; this process will be quite agitating for it, although not harmful.

    • 2

      Lubricate the probe for entry into your snake's cloaca (the opening at the end of the tail). The probe's diameter needs to be roughly the same as a male's cloaca.

    • 3

      Press the probe as far as you can against the posterior wall. In a male, the probe will reach around 8 or 9 subcaudal scales down the tail. In a female, it will only reach 1 or 2 subcaudal scales down the tail. Subcaudal scales are the enlarged plates on the underside of your snake's tail. Do not use a probe that is too small as this could lead to inaccurate results.

    • 4

      Repeat the process, only press against the other side of the posterior wall to ensure you have investigated both sides and thus acquired the most accurate results. Females tend to have different lengths of hemipenial homologs whereas male hemipenes are of a similar length..