Last night while channel surfing, I stumbled upon a wildlife genetics program on PBS, and it included about 10 minutes on of all things Red Sided Garter breeding balls!!
Points of interest (to me anyways)
Of all the males in the ball only one actually gets any. Usually the one who can wiggle the best. but not always the females first choice. (natural selection drives the females to seek out the biggest baddest and healthiest males)
The males come out of hibernation first, and bask for a while to have as much agility as possible, then jump the female while she is still stiff and slow from the cold. Giving the males an unfair advantage.
The male places a "plug" in the female to prevent any further breeding for 24-30 hours, then when the plug dissolves a second mating will take place, this time more HER choice and less like a gang rape. The second mating is more of a challenge for the males, as this time she will make them work for the prize.
The female can chose what sperm she wants to fertilize the eggs, and eject the unwanted sperm.
Then they showed a big female dragging this poor male across the ground by his hemi. (ouch!)
Peace,
Wayne A. Harvey
our critters
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1.2.9 Storeria dekayi Casper, Xena, Athena, & Kids
0.0.2 Thamnophis marcianus - Checkered Garter Snakes
0.0.1 Thamnophis sirtalis - common Garter - Princess
0.0.1 Nerodia sipedon - Water Snake - "Aqua"
0.1.10 Storeria occipitomaculata - Red Belly snakes
0.0.1 Amelanistic Corn Snake "CY" Juvinile CB
0.1.0. Pueblan Milk snake "Oreo" adult CB
1.0.0. ASIAN GREEN SNAKE 3' WC Cyclophiops major
0.0.1. Savannah Monitor "CHOMPER" CB
0.1.0. Green Anole "Crystal" WC
1.0.0. K9 "ACE" Black Cockapoo
1.2.0. Feline"Felix" "Kaja" & "Silver"
0.1.0. calico RAT
2.4.?? Mice - Feeder farm - Crickets / fish
More herps than I could ever list out back on the land. 
