Highlights:
[…] Therefore, it is in their interest to mate with as many females as possible to increase their chance of passing on genetic material. This is one hypothesized reason for males having two penises instead of one: as each hemipenis is associated with one testis and only one side can be used during mating, having a second hemipenis functions as a “backup” and ensures that mating can continue even if one side were to run out of sperm.
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The surface of hemipenes is one of the most interesting and unique features, and is often covered in sharp spines and spicules that are organized in formations called rosettes.
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Hemipenes are usually held inverted within the body, and are everted for reproduction via erectile tissue, much like that in the human penis.
There’s approximately one penis per snake on average. The number for most other species is around 0.5.
While interesting, how is this a meme? Draw a comic about it or something
Also, TIL
Often times, female snakes and lizards also have the ability to control whether they get pregnant immediately after mating or not, to account for the fact that the ideal time for mating may not translate to the most optimal time for ovulation and gestation. Consequently, females can store sperm internally for as long as five years, or possibly longer.
I’m mostly amazed they can keep the sperm alive for 5 years.
Two penises, no hands. Life is unfair.
