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.

[Serpent_Nirvana]

His advise to my husband, which I am having a hard time with, was to pop his male/males before putting them in with a female, each time and every time, and the purpose of this popping is to remove the sperm plugs. He claims if you do not so this, your success rate for fertile eggs will be much lower than if you do. He claims it's a big "breeder secret" that all the bigger people know and use but don't tell anyone about. He says the plugs prevent transfer of sperm, resulting in low fertility rates.

I've heard that one, too, though the rationale I was told was somewhat different -- I think the person who told me that said that it "fired up" the male, or something of the like.

I don't particularly believe it.

[Valentine Pirate]

My guess is that it doesn't make a significant difference, but a lot of people have "tricks" they do to make it feel like they have more of a positive effect on their numbers. When it comes to breeding it seems (having no experience yet myself) that it either happens or it doesn't. Short of artificial insemination you can't force things. With the number of ball pythons out there, I doubt problems are significant enough to have to resort to that anyway. Stubborn pairs happen, new breeders who aren't experienced, but there are much more sound tips to consider in that situation (more experienced breeder's sperm on female's back, etc)

[WingedWolfPsion]

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?

If that were true, you would be able to remove them, and there wouldn't be any more there 3 weeks later.

[SlitherinSisters]

I haven't ever heard of doing that. I don't do it, and I still get fertile eggs.

[snakesRkewl]

I haven't ever heard of doing that. I don't do it, and I still get fertile eggs.

Ditto

[coldbloodaddict]

Been doing this with males for years!

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