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Most species of snakes show no sexual dimorphism and other methods are necessary to differentiate between males and females.

Most species of snakes show no sexual dimorphism and other methods are necessary to differentiate between males and females.

[[Image:Wn_plains_garter_snake_eggs_+_ovary.jpg|250px|thumb|right|'''[[Garter Snake|Garter snake]] ovary and eggs''' - (Copyright © RVC)]]

[[Image:Wn_plains_garter_snake_eggs_+_ovary.jpg|250px|thumb|right|'''[[Garter Snake|Garter snake]] ovary and eggs''' - (Copyright © RVC)]]

* '''For more information on reproductive disease in snakes, see''' [[Lizard and Snake Dystocia|Snake Dystocia]].  

* '''For more information on reproductive disease in snakes, see''' [[Lizard and Snake Dystocia|Snake Dystocia]].  

==Testes==

==Testes==

The testes are usually elongated and light-coloured, and consist of seminiferous tubules, interstitial cells, blood vessels and connective tissue. They are situated intracoelomically generally between the pancreas/spleen/gall bladder and the kidneys with the right cranial to the left (see [[Lizard and Snake Excretion]]). Their size is dependent on the season. An epididymis may be lacking.  Sperm may be stored in a bladder-like structure formed from part of the ureter. Sperm is produced in the seminiferous tubules, transported in the Wolffian ducts and discharged at the base of the hemipenes.

The testes are usually elongated and light-coloured, and consist of seminiferous tubules, interstitial cells, blood vessels and connective tissue. They are situated intracoelomically generally between the pancreas/spleen/gall bladder and the kidneys with the right cranial to the left (see [[Lizard and Snake Excretion|snake excretion]]). Their size is dependent on the season. An epididymis may be lacking.  Sperm may be stored in a bladder-like structure formed from part of the ureter. Sperm is produced in the seminiferous tubules, transported in the Wolffian ducts and discharged at the base of the hemipenes.

 

==Kidneys==

==Kidneys==

The posterior part of the kidneys of most male snakes is sexually dimorphic. A portion of the distal tubules, called the "sexual segment", shows a seasonal enlargement and cellular changes. A phospholipid secretion is produced here and is incorporated into the seminal fluid.

The posterior part of the kidneys of most male snakes is sexually dimorphic. A portion of the distal tubules, called the "sexual segment", shows a seasonal enlargement and cellular changes. A phospholipid secretion is produced here and is incorporated into the seminal fluid.

==Hemipenes==

==Hemipenes==

Male squamates have paired copulatory organs called [[Hemipenes|hemipenes]]. These are caudal extensions of the [[Cloaca|cloaca]], except in ''Ramphotyphlops'' spp.  

Male squamates have paired copulatory organs called hemipenes. These are caudal extensions of the [[Cloaca|cloaca]], except in ''Ramphotyphlops'' spp.  

The hemipenes are located in the invaginations at the base of the tail and are held in place by a retractor muscle. The functional surface of the [[Hemipenes|hemipenis]] is the lumen of this cavity.  The paired openings of the [[Hemipenes|hemipenes]] are just inside the mucocutaneous junction and one fourth of the way medial from the lateral corners of the [[Vent|vent]]. For copulation they evert through the [[Vent|vent]]. The [[Hemipenes|hemipenes]] may have protuberances that help grip the female and there is a surface groove, the sulcus spermaticus, involved in the propulsion of semen.

The hemipenes are located in the invaginations at the base of the tail and are held in place by a retractor muscle. The functional surface of the hemipenis is the lumen of this cavity.  The paired openings of the hemipenes are just inside the mucocutaneous junction and one fourth of the way medially from the lateral corners of the vent. For copulation they evert through the vent, which is the external opening of the cloaca. The hemipenes may have protuberances that help grip the female and there is a surface groove, the sulcus spermaticus, involved in the propulsion of semen.

* '''For information on sexing snakes, see''' [[Snake Physical Examination|snake physical examination]].

* '''For information on sexing snakes, see''' [[Snake Physical Examination|snake physical examination]].

* '''For more information on reptile reproductive anatomy and physiology, see''' [[Exotics - Reptile Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology - Anatomy & Physiology|here]].

* '''For more information on reptile reproductive anatomy and physiology, see''' [[Reptile Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology|here]].

 

 

 

[[Category:Snake_Anatomy]]

[[Category:Snake_Anatomy]]