Recently, Norman had a little run-in with a sperm plug (or as the cool reptile experts call it, a seminal plug), and let me tell you, it brought back memories of the first time I encountered one. I was shocked—nowhere in my vast reptile research did it prepare me for the strange and fascinating world of male bearded dragon sperm plugs.
What Are Sperm Plugs?
So, what exactly is a sperm plug? Well, my curious friends, it’s actually pretty simple: it’s a hard, waxy plug of seminal fluid that forms in a bearded dragon’s inverted hemipenes—usually around mating season 1 Kaplan, Melissa. “Seminal (Hemipenal) Plugs and Seminal Exudates.” Herp Care Collection, 1 Jan. 2014, www.anapsid.org/seminalplugs.html. . The good news is, it typically comes out with their, um, bathroom business, and we all just go about our day, blissfully unaware.
But sometimes, the universe decides to shake things up. You might spot a hard, white blob—or something that looks suspiciously like a piece of poop—stuck in their vent. And guess what? That’s a sperm plug!
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not judging my boys for doing their natural thing… but also, I kinda am.
The First Time
If you spot a sperm plug sticking out of your bearded dragon’s vent, take a deep breath and don’t panic. Trust me, I’ve been there, and it’s a wild ride.
Picture this: I reached for Norman, my trusty little dragon, and felt something weird near his tail. To my horror, I was greeted with a terrifying sight—something strange protruding from his vent. Cue the dramatic music.
Naturally, I spiraled into full-on panic mode. I honestly thought Norman’s insides were staging a dramatic escape.
My first big mistake? Googling “bearded dragon prolapses.” Let’s just say, the things I saw during that search have haunted my nightmares ever since. Avoid that rabbit hole if you value your peace of mind.
Thankfully, after the panic subsided, I realized that Norman’s situation was nothing compared to the horror stories I found online. But still, I was a little concerned. Eventually, I stumbled upon a picture of a sperm plug, and slowly—very slowly—everything clicked into place.
Do Sperm Plugs Hurt?
No, it doesn’t hurt—but it’s not exactly a day at the spa, either.
If your dragon’s dealing with a sperm plug, a nice warm soak will help them get rid of that pesky ‘mega wedgie.’ I like to soak Norman in warm water, hoping the plug will just float away like some magical solution—but, spoiler alert, it never does. After about 10-15 minutes, I pop on some gloves and carefully wiggle the plug out with my fingers.
Warm water and nylon gloves? My ultimate sidekicks in this adventure.
Just a friendly reminder: I’m not a vet, so if the plug is really stuck or you’re unsure, it’s always best to call in the professionals. And please—DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT yank at anything stuck in your bearded dragon’s vent. Be gentle and, if you need help, don’t hesitate to ask. It’s all about being patient and kind in these situations!
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Sources
1 Kaplan, Melissa. “Seminal (Hemipenal) Plugs and Seminal Exudates.” Herp Care Collection, 1 Jan. 2014, www.anapsid.org/seminalplugs.html.
Thank you! My daughter had the name of it correct but said it was not good! * panic insued * lol then I found you. Thank you again my friend!
Absolutely amazing! I’ve had beardies for a little over 2 and a half years and this article (although I knew about them, just not the name) was short, sweet, and refreshing! I am sharing it with all my fellow beardie and reptile owners now.