Posted by:
toshamc
at Tue Mar 7 16:56:30 2006 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by toshamc ]
Well the snake reproductive system is designed for the female to retain sperm until such time as she has developed her follicles at which time releasing the sperm to fertilize the egg. Just how long she can retain viable sperm is up for arguement. Some have proven that she can retain sperm and fertilize folicles up to the following season (example: bred a pastel season one, a mojave season two and the eggs from season two have mojos and pastels) - this scenario has been seen a few times. Other say she can store sperm for years (thus disproving the "virgin birth" stories) tho I don't think anyone has proven this.
As far as what happens to the sperm if she doesn't use it - I would assume it most likely dies and is absorbed into her system - but I guess it could somehow be flushed out but I would think this would be less likely or there wouldn't be any "left overs" from the year before. Good question?!?!?!
And yes - a lot of people get eggs from just one breeding.
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Tosha 
"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"
6.42.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
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0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
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RE: Can Females Retain Sperm? - toshamc, Tue Mar 7 16:56:30 2006