Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know this is an odd topic, but I wanted to ask if anyone has observed their male varanids depositing hemipenal sloughs. This has been observed in Varanus acanthurus, one of the species I keep, but I am hoping it has been observed in other species.

After defecation, males may deposit a slimy transparent or whitish blob. This is not to be confused with the white uric acid. As the "blob" is being deposited, males commonly rub or drag their cloaca onto a surface or substrate, leaving the blob behind. This blob sticks to the surface as a V-shaped flat "structure" and primarily contains shed hemipenal skin. This behavior has mainly been observed during the mating season, but can occur during other parts of the year.

If you have noticed this behavior and this "blob," could you let me know? If you haven't, could you keep an eye on your monitors? This behavior typically happens, in the other lizard families observed, after or when the male is basking in the morning. I know morning may be a relative term for those of us who keep a twenty-four hour light/ heat cycle.

I'm interested in this because it could lead to the development of a thesis for a new opportunity I have to pursue my M.S. Degree in Biology. The behavior mentioned above leads to a host of questions. If other varanids or even just V. acanthurus deposits these hemipenal sloughs, could they be a visual or chemical marker for other males? What is the function of this sloughing? I have many more....

I have some natural history questions for those who might be able to help me....

Do V. acanthurus individuals live in relative proximity to each other in the wild? (I'm going off information on the Mampam website) Any living in loose colonies or close by with other males?

Can the presence of males surpress the expression of sexual characteristics in other males? I'm just thinking of posts I've encountered where people talk about "he-she's." Perhaps I'm confusing that notion with an inability to properly sex animals. Has anyone kept large groups with multiple males? I had a trio originally and pulled the male out because he was "messing" everything up with the male and female that paired together.

If you have more questions, please ask. If you've got answers, please post. If you want to bash and enlighten me, please bash away. If you think I need to not analyze my critters and just enjoy them, tell me.

On another note, my wife and I just found we (well, she) are pregnant with our first child!

First of all, congratulations on the pregnancy!

Out of 4 monitors only one is a male (exanthematicus) and after just over one year in my possession I've never seen what you've described.

My reason for posting is to ask: Has the slough you're talking about been tested to prove that it does actually contain shed hemipenal skin and isn't the result of accumulated dirt, semen, etc, that can build up within the sacs/tubes or whatever their official name is?

Hope I don't get you or this thread off course, I'm just curious.

Have a good one!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

Yes, I know what you are talking about. I've had many albigs over the years and it seems all the males leave this snot behind.
I've never seen any of the females (which laid eggs) leave anything like it. And I never played with it to see if it was a shed or not either.

I know next to nothing about Monitors, but could this be a sperm plug such as you get with male snakes. It sounds similar.

Quig
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Don't interupt me when I'm talkin' to myself

That's what it sounds like to me. I have never really noticed it with any of my monitors but I have never really looked for it either. I have noticed them with snakes,day geckos and chameleons. Mostly with the latter two.