One of my gophers just shed that I thought was a girl, but the shed skin has a inch or so of skin (darker than the shed) sticking out of where the vent would be. Are these sperm plugs?
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Sprm Plugs?
fatscales
Jan 29, 2008 07:40 PM
Replies (4)
colubridman
Jan 29, 2008 08:08 PM
Impossible to guess with that info. I would try to get someone experienced to probe the snake. Randy W.
fatscales
Jan 29, 2008 08:16 PM
What about a pic of the shed in question?
colubridman
Jan 29, 2008 09:17 PM
It would still not be possible to guess.
Ginter
Jan 29, 2008 10:36 PM
females have two inverted capilary beds/scent glands that lay at the base of the tail within the cloaca on each side and distal to the vent. They secrete a musk or pheramone (sorry about the spelling), used to attract males. I have seen these show up in sheds of some snakes mostly noticable in the really big individuals...however I have never seen them as long as you described (an inch).
A sperm plug refers to a plug or consolidation of ejaculate within the reproductive tract of a female after coitus often thought to block the introduction of additional semen from would be competing males. They would probably not be evident as a result of a skin shed but if present would probably be eventually absorbed by the female.
Probably nothing but watch to see if they show up with all sheds, watch for any signs of infection, etc. If in doubt go see a good herp vet
