Posted by:
DMong
at Wed Aug 25 14:18:32 2010 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by DMong ]
"I am gonna exhibit my ignorance and ask....can snake clutches have more than one sire?"
The very last thing I would call that question is ignorant. As a matter of fact, that is a VERY good question!. I have pondered that very question for years as well. I have never witnessed proof of this in any clutches personally, but that is because I only ever introduce one known male at any given time, but I see that as being quite possible and probable if a female was bred to more than one sire in fairly quick succession.
I would figure each male's sperm could easily swim around and fertilize different egg ova that were lined up in her. I would also assume it would depend on which male had more active, and more powerful sperm cells as well to be more able to penetrate the female sex cells before the other male's got to them.
that is an EXCELLENT question and point Sonya, and I am glad you brought it up. I hope some others can chime in with any personal experience with that ever happening in their clutches.
Very interesting indeed! 
~Doug ----- "a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing" 
my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com
[ Hide Replies ]
|