Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK,I have come to notice that most of the time my males seem to favor using one side of their "unit" to complete the mission when breeding. I know some snakes lose a hemi and are still capable of breeding but I wonder if they have to kind of get used to using that side if they more often than not used the other. I think the majority of my breeders are rightys....sounds pretty funny but I am wondering if anyone else has noticed this, and if anyone has had a male lose a hemi was it still a proficient breeder only using the one he has left? And in closing does anyone know how to recognise a snake that has lost a hemi due to prolapse by looking at it, meaning when it is not courting or breeding? Tom Stevens

Very interesting question though, In watching the albino ruthie the other day it didnt seem to matter. Although when he was right against her he repeatedly used the same side. But when seperated for abit he seemed to use either when they got back close kinda like which ever seemed closest.
Toby

Cant wait to hear some of the replies!!!!!!!!
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www.Wood-N-Snakes.com

The Male is the cream
He is a lefty

And with another female thats also orange

he is useing his left hemipene again

well i have never really thought to much about which hemipene that my males like to use or whether it is down to the female whispering in his ear , HEY HONEY USE THE BIG ONE TONIGHT. lol

I laughed so hard I woke my kid up from her nap! LOL
Tom Stevens

Cool

Tom
hear is another lefty
The male being on the right

To be honest im not that sure on the (lost hemi issue) but i did have a Floridana male years ago that got draged around by his hemi by an aggresive female for about 3mins before i intervened, he lost half of his hemipene and also refused to mate again for two seasons then went back to normale breeding responces.

I've developed a little fixation on mountain kings. Is that what these are? If so, what species? Do you have pictures of the whole snakes?

Thanks,

Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

Sorry Bill
i forgot to mention they are Lampropeltis trangulum campbelli

thanks
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

I remember reading an account of possible hemipene regeneration in a Georgia Herp Society Newsletter probably 15 years ago. It might have been HDEAN that wrote it? The snake had definantly lost one and then the other....and then bred later in it's life sucessfully. I'll try to find that issue. It was an interesting story. So that animal was not only able to use both sides but a third!

Horridus

Wow, that sounds like an interesting read. Let us know if you dig that up. Tom Stevens