Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bred this male to two females with a good week and a half break in between. When I took him out of the second females enclosure he had this lump to the side of his vent. I thought maybe a pulled muscle or something and he doesn't seem to be in any pain at all. Anyway it's been like this for a few days without getting better or worse.

Do any of you know what it is and what could remedy it?
Thank you, Dustin

I would guess that he injured his hemipene during mating. Is there any discharge from the cloaca? It might have an infection, I would consider visiting a vet (ASAP).

Best of luck,
Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

no discharge... I plan on the vet visit they're closed on weekends so I'll have to call tomorrow. Thanks.

Check for substrate that was retracted back in w/his hemipene!

I agree with Buzz, check for bedding. I have seen this on many occasions when breeding on aspen bedding. You can usually massage the stuck bedding out if you catch it early enough.
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Steve Perry
North Idaho.

I also agree with Buzz and Steve...
If it were an injured hemipene, more times than not, it would prolapse (paraphimosis) and not swell within the cloaca...

I have had this happen on more than a few occations... It sometimes fixes when the snake everts or deficates but most of the time it needs some coaxing...

Thanks Guys you were right. Something was retracted in therebut it was pretty easy to work out. There doesn't seem to be any injury at all and just some swelling, probably from the irritation.I think I'll watch him for a few days to make sure swelling goes down and that there's no infection before a vet visit... How's that sound?
Thanks again for your help.

Sounds good... Glad to hear everything is Ok... I have not had any issues with any of my snakes where this has happend... Once it is out there is usually no further tinkering... Imagine trying to clean the cloaca of a big male gaboon viper... LOL... Really, its not fun...

Funny, that's what I pictured you having to do after seeing the pet land mines thread. I was able to work out the debris and then irrigated the best I could with a Novlasan mixture.

On the bright side at least there's proof he bred her lol.