Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All,

I was doing my daily checks on my pairings that I have together right, and I notice lots of movement in one of my bins.

My male was basically being dragged around the bin by the female while his hemipene was still inside of her. Is it possible for the hemipene to get stuck inside the female?

Thanks!

They have finally seperated. But now his hemipene is exposed, and it's not going back in on its own. What to do now?

If no one responds soon with advise otherwise, I'd take it to the vet to be safe. The only other time I have heard of a hemipene being exposed was in the male of a male female pair of Ornate Diamondback Terrapins at work. The hemipene was exposed, the person in charge of caring for the turtles thought it would go back in, and it died.

As far as the dragging that does happen from time to time. If a male snake locks up with the female snake, they are together until the male is ready to let go. The hemipenes are barbed to allow the male snake to hold onto a female snake.

Again though, if someone doesn't get back to you soon I would at least consult a vet for where to go if the hemipene does not retract into its normal position.

If you have experience, its a easy fix if you attend to it quickly. Cold water wash, reinsert with a probe, then hold it in with a good old bandage. Yes, a normal bandage.

But if its still out, a vet visit is in order, as by now antibiotics are most likely needed. Best of luck

The hemipenes are designed to lock inside the female until the male is done. Being dragged is normal, but not necessarily preferable.

If the hemipene is still extended a few minutes after mating, I wouldn't worry too much. Just remove him to a container with no substrate so he doesn't get wood chips or other muck on it. Wash it with cold water as Frank suggested.

If it stays everted for more than an hour, you might start thinking about pushing it back in as Frank suggested. You don't want it to dry out, and you don't want it to get dirty or cut.

It should go down on its own, but if it doesn't, you need to either follow Frank's advice, or if you don't feel comfortable with that, take him to a vet.

Dan

Available Hogs

If this happens again. Separate them into different cages once they part ways. Keep it moist on damp paper towels. Coat it with damp powdered sugar and let him settle for a few hours. If it hasn't reinserted on its own, take a wet Q-tip and gently reinsert it. This may take two people. Then apply the band aide as suggested.

Do not use him for breeding until after his next shed cycle at the very least.

Best of luck with him.

I have a question, I understand that sugar/cool sugar water and powdered sugar helps shrink the hemipene. But I have and recommend a cold water rise before its reinserted to help prevent infection. Please understand, this is an academic question from me as I have only had to do that a few time and not had problems. In theory, leaving sugar on the organ and sealing it in sounds like a bad idea. I would imagine it really depends on how long the organ was exposed and what condition the organ is. Thanks

Leaving the sugar on seems like your leaving the snake open to bacterial infection and problems. I would also rinse really well before reinserting. Like stated above.

You are correct, I left that out by accident. Rinse it off completely with cold water before reinserting it. As all you guys know, cold water causes shrinkage. You will find that most has already washed off from moving around on the wet paper towel even if it reinserts on its own.

The pocket that it reinserts in is not sterile and loaded with bacteria. That's where all fecal matter exits. But why take the risk of introducing something if you don't have to.

I know a few breeders that swear by this method and have yet to have an issue. Collectively speaking they have over a 100 years experience between the 5 I'm thinking of. But it only takes once, right!!!

The key to this is to keep it moist. Never let it dry out.

If there is visible damage of any kind, do not do this technique. Get it to a vet but always keep it moist.

Sry meant to add this before I hit enter.

Other then leaving the sugar on it, the method does work, the real key is the bandage. that does keep it in. And stop making me feel old, I have half that experience and only one person instead of five.
I do think that the actual problem we run into here is with people who are not experienced or not comfortable doing that procedure. I think a vet visit is always the best recommendation, then the individual that are comfortable can try it if they like. Thanks and keep up the good work