Norman recently had a sperm plug (seminal plug) and it reminded me of the first time I experienced one. I was shocked because nothing in my reptile research had prepared me for the weird and wonderful world of male bearded dragon sperm plugs.
What is a Sperm Plug?
Well my innocent friends, it’s quite simple: sperm plugs are hard waxy plugs of seminal fluid that build up in a bearded dragon’s inverted hemipenes, typically during mating season. 1 Kaplan, Melissa. “Seminal (Hemipenal) Plugs and Seminal Exudates.” Herp Care Collection, 1 Jan. 2014, www.anapsid.org/seminalplugs.html. The plug usually passes with defecation and we all thrive in our ignorance.
Sometimes the universe chooses to disrupt our peace. You may notice a hard, white blob or something you might confuse for a piece of poop stuck in their vent.
This is a sperm plug.
I’m not shaming my boys for this natural process but also, I am.
The First Time
If your bearded dragon has a sperm plug sticking out of their vent, don’t panic.
This cruel, dark world disrupted my peace when I reached for my child and felt something odd near his tail. A horrible sight confronted my eyes in the form of a hideous protrusion coming from his vent.
*drama ensues*
Seriously, I began to panic. I thought poor Norman’s insides were falling out.
My first mistake was Googling “bearded dragon prolapses.”
The things I saw during that search still haunt me to this day, so I don’t recommend it.
Fortunately, I noted that whatever was going on with Norman was not nearly as bad as what I was seeing online, but still, I was concerned. Eventually, I stumbled on a photo of a sperm plug. Understanding slowly crept through me .
Does It Hurt?
No, it does not hurt.
It is not exactly comfortable either.
Giving your dragon a nice warm soak will help them get rid of this mega wedgie.
I soak Norman in warm water and hope the sperm plug will fall out in the tub, but it never happens. After 10-15 minutes I put on gloves and wiggle it out with my fingers.
Warm water and nylon gloves are my best friends.
I am not veterinary professional, consult your veterinarian if you’re struggling with a stuck plug. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT yank at anything stuck in your bearded dragons vent.
Always be gentle with things like this and ask for help if you need it.
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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.