Accidental sterilization

[jdavy]

Someone recently told me that probing a snake soon after brumation could accidentally sterilize the snake. I've never heard of this before, and I'm a little confused about what the pathophisiology would be that would cause this to occur.

For the record, this isn't an "oops...I shouldn't have done that" or something - lol. This is just about satisfying a curious mind and trying to broaden my understanding.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has info on this!

Josh

[KORBIN5895]

No idea but I am glad you didn't get sterilized accidentally!

[millertime89]

No idea but I am glad you didn't get sterilized accidentally!

lol, this is what I thought as well when I read the title

[mykee]

If you're not extremely gentle while probing a male, you can easily puncture the hemipenes leaving the male sterile.

[millertime89]

that just sounds painful.

[jdavy]

If you're not extremely gentle while probing a male, you can easily puncture the hemipenes leaving the male sterile.

Yeah Mykee, I knew that. What was news to me was that probing post brumation (even with proper technique) could cause sterlization. I'm not even sure if it's correct information. I'd like to know if it's true, and if it is, why.

Thanks again.

[insignia100]

You may damage the hemipenes, but technically the snake isn't sterilized, it just cannot copulate. Sterilization would require removal of the snake's testicles.

[Lankyrob]

Surely any one intending breeding would have probed/sexed their animals BEFORE brumation so this wouldnt be an issue? :)

[jdavy]

Lol - I love you guys, but I think some of you are missing the point.

By sterilization, I mean make the animal unable to procreate.

It may seem silly to probe after brumation, but I'm not interested in answering why someone would choose to do that, only if probing immediately post brumation could cause sterilization.

By the responses, I'm guessing that I'm not the only one who hasn't heard of this phenomenon or who doesn't understand what biological process would cause this to happen.

We'll see if anyone who reads this is able to shed some light on the matter:).

[Skumbo]

other than previously mentioned physical damage in some way, I see absolutely no reason physiologically!

[alessia55]

This is interesting........ :p