Odd bit of advise from a breeder, need opinions on the accuracy of this info.

[loonunit]

I thought I just read a post recently that explained the same misconception, but rather than dried sperm it was said that the things that people were commonly calling "sperm plugs" were hemipene casts, like a shed from the hemipene. I can't recall exactly which post that was in, and please correct me if I'm wrong, but that was the impression (no pun intended) that I got . Does anyone else recall that conversation or have any info on whether there is such a thing as a hemipene cast?

Yeah, in that sense, ball python "sperm plugs" don't function the way garter snake sperm plugs do. As alluded to earlier in the thread, garter snake sperm plugs prevent other males from accessing the female's vent. Ball python plugs don't block access or stop multiples-sired clutches.

But having seen a "sperm plug" hanging out of one of my girl's vents several times last season, I think it's likely that they do act as sperm traps, and could help insure that at least some of the babies will be sired by that father.