Sex Injuries

[xdeus]

From what I understand, males can get one or both hemipenes ripped off during mating. I imagine this occurs when a female decides to move off suddenly before the male is finished.

However, I've noticed a lot of people posting pictures of their snakes coupled. Aren't they running the risk of an injury happening when they are mating, especially given how flinchy a Ball can be? It would seem like the breeder would take every precuation for this not to happen, or am I just being way too cautious and paranoid?

[Adam_Wysocki]

When ball pythons are "locked up" they are almost in a trance like state. They are generally pretty oblivious to their surroundings. Over the years I've even managed to pick up and move pairs that were "locked up" into a new box and have them remain locked in their new enclosure. If anything, it's the males that tend to be the skittish ones ... large females could generally not care less.

Of course anything "can" happen, but it's really not something to be concerned about (at least with ball pythons, I can't speak intelligently about other species because I don't have anywhere near the experience I do with p. regius). I've been doing this a long time and instances of hemipenes being lost due to cancer or infections from bedding lodged in them are much more common. I can only think of 1 or 2 instances of a ball pythons "pene" being "ripped off" among all of the breeders that I have ever spoken to. Although, I do know many breeders that have at least one male in their collection that had to have a hemipene removed ... myself included.

-adam

[RandyRemington]

I talked to some guys who thought it had happened to one of their boas. Maybe they where right or maybe they weren’t. At any rate, boas are generally bigger and stronger snakes and might have other different tendencies and characteristics of the reproductive organs making this more likely. And, since they only use one at a time it would have to happen twice to get both sides. So, it’s a possibility to consider with ball pythons but I haven’t heard or seen one way or the other as to if it’s likely. Still, the pic a while back of someone feeding a male ball python while he was breeding seems a bit risky.

[xdeus]

Thanks for the info. I think it's in my nature to worry about things like this, but I'm glad to know it's not a big concern.

But while we're on the subject of mating injuries... have you ever known Balls to act aggressive to each other? I've heard of one "trick" to get a lazy breeder to get going is to throw another male in the pot. I'm not sure how aggressive they can be to one another, but I don't think I would want to risk any injuries to a high-end morph by trying it.

[Adam_Wysocki]

I've heard of one "trick" to get a lazy breeder to get going is to throw another male in the pot. I'm not sure how aggressive they can be to one another, but I don't think I would want to risk any injuries to a high-end morph by trying it.

Sometimes that "trick" works, sometimes it doesn't. It really depends on the males that you use. I usually have to use it on at least one male a year to get them going. They just shove each other around and urinate all over each other, but nothing “harmful”.

Females will also display aggressive behavior towards males. I've had large dominant females literally "toss" young males off of their backs. They will push and shove the male all around the cage until he gets the "hint" and leaves them alone. Those girls usually need a larger more dominant male to get them "in the mood".

-adam

[xdeus]

They just shove each other around and urinate all over each other, but nothing “harmful”.

I'm glad at least ONE thing has changed within our primitive human instincts.

[cassandra]

Really interesting stuff, Adam...thanks for sharing! It sounds like they are displaying personalities or am I anthropomorphizing? Just exercising mate preferences?

[Adam_Wysocki]

I'm glad at least ONE thing has changed within our primitive human instincts.

You should come out to the bars with us sometime.

-adam

[xdeus]

You should come out to the bars with us sometime.

I'm in! Just don't give me weird looks when I show up with a raincoat and a see-through dome umbrella.

[Adam_Wysocki]

I'm in! Just don't give me weird looks when I show up with a raincoat and a see-through dome umbrella.

LOL ... I very rarely ever make it above knee level.

-adam