This morning I woke up. . .and there they were, entiwined!! Tied!! Stuck like two dogs!!

I'd never had this happen before, nor heard of it happening in the wild. My male slider, Fred, had mated with my 1 and 9mos old female, Agnus. He's been coming on to her for ages. Well, this morning he was upside down at the bottom of the tank and she pulling him around.

I quickly pulled them both out, put them in a plastic container. I tried to pull them apart-gently-but to no avail. I then got some warm water, coaxed them a little, and gave another gentle tug. YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I'D SEEN!

The male's reproductive ograns looked about the size of a cauliflower, and something of the same shape. It was black, and for a moment, I'd thought I pulled out his organs. I was so worried. . .but then, slowly, it crept back up into the sheath.

My fears are this, however, and I ask your advice. Is mating at all endangering to either one? Can the male drown? Does this happend in the wild? And is the male's reproductive organ really this large?

I couldn't believe it. But I guess-after this act-that Agnus is pregnant and I have to get her some dry land. Now what?

[ Hide Replies ]

• Mating - colorfulcritters, Sun Apr 15 23:55:21 2007
• RE: Mating - Buslady, Wed Apr 25 10:31:34 2007
• RE: Mating - ColorfulCritters, Wed May 2 22:10:39 2007