Reptile & Amphibian Forums

would some one explain the whole sperm plug thing to me? I have been reading posts on breeding and people mention popping out sperm plugs etc. and im highly curious as to what that is exactly and if its going to be an issue with my lil boy (fluffy) once he is sexually mature?

thanks tianna
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~Tianna~

1.0 BP norm 'Fluffy'
1.1 Matrix Blonds
1.1 Mojave
1.0 st. bernard/great paranese mix 'Chester'
1.0 Great Dane Harley
I foster pitbulls and love every minute of it.

We must all learn to blame the DEED and not the BREED, dogs are what we make them.

Obsolescenttears@aol.com

I can show you a picture of one...

Sperm plugs are simply old skin and dried sperm. If you were to pop your adult male's hemipenes you most likely will get a plug to pop out. If your male has been actively breeding there won't be a plug to pop out (a little hint for those of you wondering if your male and female are locking up or not... only works the first time though since plugs take time to build up).

Sperm plugs are not an issue or a problem that you will have to deal with in any way. Most people pop their males (actually you don't have to completely pop them - just apply a little pressure as if you were going to pop out their hemipenes) ... anyways, people generally look for sperm plugs as one sign of sexual maturity in a male.

However, just because he is producing sperm does not mean he knows what to do with it (or how to do it). It also doesn't mean that the sperm is viable. Males tend to produce sperm well before they are capable of using it.

The nice thing about popping plugs is that a plug is a guarantee its male. If you cant probe or feel uncomfortable about it or popping the hemepines a plug comes out much easier and If you get one its a defenite male. No plug could be male or female . I find this useful when someone wants to know the sex of a adult. If you pop out a plug your done and dont have to freak them out by popping the hemepines.
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Ballbusters Breeders Club

West Coast Pythons
Blog

uhm wow. informative. lol im sure fluffy is going to be excited for when i get home tomarrow

thanks everyone for your answers !
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~Tianna~

1.0 BP norm 'Fluffy'
1.1 Matrix Blonds
1.1 Mojave
1.0 st. bernard/great paranese mix 'Chester'
1.0 Great Dane Harley
I foster pitbulls and love every minute of it.

We must all learn to blame the DEED and not the BREED, dogs are what we make them.

Obsolescenttears@aol.com