Shed Hemipenes?

dbassa · 07-31-13, 12:03 AM

I have seen this on his previous sheds and thought it might be a small amount of blood somehow related to the shed process. However, I recently came across a thread "http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/elaph...tml#post585350" where this was discussed and am wanting to confirm (or not) what I think I am seeing, which are shed hemipenes. This is from Allegro who is nearly a year old and weighs 104g. He was hatched Aug. 2012. The photo of him is several months old. The shed is from last night. I am referring to the two dark spots on either side of the shed vent scale. I have never had him sexed because it was just not important to me but it would be interesting to know if he is really a he

KORBIN5895 · 07-31-13, 12:15 AM

Never mind I read the other thread and get it now.

Starbuck · 07-31-13, 07:55 AM

females also have paired reproductive structures called the hemi-clitoris, though this tends to be larger and more noticeable in boas, rather than colubrids. Additionally, male boas have spurs (visable externally, females can also have them but generally smaller and not as common), and some colubrids will also have them.... (i know, extremely helpful lol)

Im not sure if what you are seeing is a spur or the shriveled shed of a hemipene, but i would lean more heavily towards male at this point. Both of my corns ( a little older than yours) are male and also routinely have this darkened area to their shed. However, my male albino king does not.
Best of luck, and you have a *handsome* snake!

dbassa · 07-31-13, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starbuck

females also have paired reproductive structures called the hemi-clitoris, though this tends to be larger and more noticeable in boas, rather than colubrids. Additionally, male boas have spurs (visable externally, females can also have them but generally smaller and not as common), and some colubrids will also have them.... (i know, extremely helpful lol)

Im not sure if what you are seeing is a spur or the shriveled shed of a hemipene, but i would lean more heavily towards male at this point. Both of my corns ( a little older than yours) are male and also routinely have this darkened area to their shed. However, my male albino king does not.
Best of luck, and you have a *handsome* snake!

Thank you and thank you!

Corni-snake · 08-02-13, 06:55 PM

I have 4 corns, 2 female and 2 males, my males do this now and again which I thought was their hemepide (how ever you spell it, there two ding dongs basically), BUT my female corn (that I thought was gravid) had a shed and it looked just like this? its confuzzling... (Y) nice corn btw!!!

dbassa · 08-02-13, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corni-snake

I have 4 corns, 2 female and 2 males, my males do this now and again which I thought was their hemepide (how ever you spell it, there two ding dongs basically), BUT my female corn (that I thought was gravid) had a shed and it looked just like this? its confuzzling... (Y) nice corn btw!!!

Yeah, I was hoping it might indicate gender conclusively, but if the boys and girls both have that...it's just a guess...

Thanks

Corni-snake · 08-02-13, 07:21 PM

Sexing Your Corn Snake - CORNSNAKE.CO.UK - My neirbour introduced me to this where you can visually see by the tails- but unless you have other corns snakes to compare (easier in adults) it can prove quite difficult :
I have attached a photo of one of my female's tail, wish I could take a photo side ways but I notice males are definitely more longer/slender tail. My females more off like a bum/bump almost? o.0 and tails are shorter.

dbassa · 08-02-13, 08:17 PM

That's one of the best tutorials on probing/popping/sexing snakes I have yet seen. That site is getting bookmarked

Thanks for posting!

Corni-snake · 08-04-13, 05:02 AM

<3 glad I have helped some way! <3 YAY! :3 (im such a nerd!)