BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

I have been putting one of the female Northerns T.s.intermedia in with a Northern male on and off every other day for a few days now. The female didn't want to cooperate and fought back with great vigor. Might ad that this is the first breeding season for either of these two. Yesterday tried them again and the male won this time.
He finally figured out how to get everything lined up, inserted and pow. A good squirt of blood shot 2" to 3" from the base of his inserted hp. Possibly much as 1/4 teaspoon in volume. You could see the changed expression on his face as that suddenly occurred. I ran for the camera and did make a picture but decided not to show it on the forum. They were on newspaper and it was a bloody mess. He crawled away in pain and eventually pulled himself back together. Closed his eyes and I'm thinking he just bled to death. I removed the female. Few moments later he was looking for the female again. I'm thinking well he survived that but he will probably be out of commission for the rest of this season maybe long term. He is very active today again watching females in some near by tanks and trying to get to them. looks like he will be fine. I have never seen this particular thing happen before or herd of it so thought I would share it with you guys.

When Ema, my virgin male Merauke at the time, first bred, he had some blood on his hemipene. It wasn't pouring, but there, nevertheless. I'm not exactly sure what could have caused it. If it were just a little scratch, it would have been pourning, but no.. only a few drops. I found it odd, but you case sounds like something that occurred in the movie Carrie.

I'm really interested in seeing the photos, you can send them via PM... if you are okay with such.

It sometimes can happen,female or even the male could scratch it whilst jostling for position,not sure it puts them out of action for the season,often appears worse as the hemipenes are engorged,a couple of days rest may be all he needs

Ive never had it like that with tiliqua,just a miniscule amount on the rare occaision but one of my sand goannas has done it twice,and it looks like a mass murder scene,blood everywhere in outdoor cage,so i understand how you feel seeing it

I recall talking with a breeder who has a male with one hemipene damaged, where I think it consistently bleeds anytime it's used. When breeding he tries to get that male to line up on the other side instead. My memory is rough though, so I'm fuzzy on who's anecdote this is.

Fatal_S wrote:I recall talking with a breeder who has a male with one hemipene damaged, where I think it consistently bleeds anytime it's used. When breeding he tries to get that male to line up on the other side instead. My memory is rough though, so I'm fuzzy on who's anecdote this is.

That might require special training.

I've had snakes before that become accidentally damaged in that department but due to being properly equipped they would use the other side. Many snake species play as rough er rougher than the Northern BTS.

I have a Merauke male BTS that took a beating recently by a not willing to play female. I actually believe he could be scared for life. She cut the top of his head up. But if you let him see her again he wouldn't remember the abuse that she had inflicted on him. She is possibly pregnant now and they will be his.

Luke is the one I know who had a male’s hemipene cut by a toe nail during breeding. He posted pictures, and blood was everywhere. Depending on how serious the wound is, it may heal and work fine next year. It probably won’t heal fast enough for him to breed this year without risking further damage. I wouldn’t risk pairing him again this season.

I have heard of some Australian keepers who tape up the hind legs of the females, almost like wearing socks, to avoid this type of injury.

Hog tie,lol

Some even tape females mouths shut to prevent female bullying male,or going at hemipene,ove had some think a still everted hemipene looks like it could be a treat

Some very resourceful replies here.