how accurate is the BB method?

[cornchips]

I have a small albino boa(a few months old). I was told it was a female but seeing as the baby was almost dead when I took it in, I doubt highly it was sexed accurately.
I dont have a probe set with a large enough probe that I would feel comfortable using on a boa, even a baby.
So I ran my fingers down the tail section and halfway felt something, not really bbs but def. something there as I did it a couple times.
I will order some probes but for now Im wondering how accurate this method is? From what Ive read, there either is something there(bbs) or nothing at all for a female.







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[JCCS]

You should probably have someone instruct you in person so you can see how they are palpating the tail, but once learned and practiced, it's the most accurate sexing method there is besides genetic testing, lol. I found sexing mistakes from well known breeders who had used both probing and popping. It's also much less stressful and potentially harmful than either probing or popping.

Also, if you don't know how to probe, do not do it, especially on a young animal. Sexing snakes is something that truly needs to be learned directly from an experienced person as either probing or popping can seriously damage an animal.