Though there are many different health concerns you should be aware of when caring for your bearded dragon, sperm plugs can be tricky and need to be addressed immediately if spotted.
It is nothing to worry about and is very common during the breeding season. So in this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at everything you should know about sperm plugs: what they are, how you identify them, and how you treat them.
Bearded Dragon Sperm Plugs – A Complete Guide
Sperm plugs are a natural occurrence in bearded dragons. Sperm plugs, also known as seminal plugs, are collections of seminal fluid that build up in the everted hemipenes of male bearded dragons and other reptiles during mating season.
Sperm plugs are usually passed with bowel movements or might occasionally remain stuck to the rear for some time before it falls off. You may also find it in their bedding. Sperm plugs are usually whitish, bright yellow, or orange in color. Their texture is usually sticky, rather than dry or crumbly.
How Often Do Bearded Dragons Get Sperm Plugs?
Bearded dragons can get sperm plugs at any time of the year, but they are most common during the breeding season. Sperm plugs can be a good sign that your bearded dragon is ready to mate and reproduce with a female.
The breeding season for bearded dragons typically starts in March and ends in late August or early September. The breeding season for bearded dragons is when they have the best chance of reproducing, so breeders take advantage of this period to make sure your bearded dragon has successfully reproduced and produced offspring.
If you are interested in breeding bearded dragons, then you should take some time to learn about how to care for them during their breeding season so that they have the best chance of reproducing.
Is Your Bearded Dragon Breathing Heavily? Respiratory Infection?
Bearded Dragon Sperm Plug Stuck? Here’s What to Do
If you think your bearded dragon’s sperm plug is stuck, here are a few things you can do:
1. Give him a warm bath.
2. Put him in a warm place for 30-60 minutes.
3. Massage the area gently to see if you can break up the sperm plug.
4. If nothing works, try going to an exotic pet vet and ask them if they can remove it for you or if they have any other recommendations to remove the sperm plug.
Check the tail of your beardie to see if there is any swelling or redness. If so, this could indicate that their tail has been infected by bacteria and should be treated with antibiotics immediately.
Give them plenty of high-quality greens so they have enough energy to digest food properly and absorb nutrients effectively.
When to Look For Sperm Plugs?
If you are breeding bearded dragons, then you should be looking for sperm plugs once a week during the breeding season. If you are not interested in breeding, then you should look for them once a month to make sure they are healthy and nothing is wrong.
When dealing with any health problems in such exotic pets, it is very important to keep track of when the problem first occurs so that it can be properly treated at its earliest stages.
This is true for sperm plugs as well as any other health problems in bearded dragons. If a male reptile has sperm plugs but does not pass them for several days, then there may be an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed immediately.
Bearded Dragon Sperm Plug-in Poop? What You Should Know
Sperm plugs can sometimes look like large clumps of shed skin on their backside but this is usually uncommon if your bearded dragon has healthy skin.
If your bearded dragon has passed a sperm plug, it will typically look like something that resembles snot or boogers sticking out of their rear end or even just dangling from their hemipenes. It may also appear as yellow or white mucus that hangs from the hemipenes.
Since this substance is more jelly-like than it is snot-like, it will usually just hang out of its rear end and will not fall off. If you happen to touch it, then it may stick to your finger and can sometimes be difficult to remove without a little tugging.
If you think that your bearded dragon has passed a sperm plug, then you should make sure to check out the rest of its body for any other problems or issues. If you find that they have passed a sperm plug, but there are no other health issues present then this could just be an issue that is common during breeding seasons.
What Should You Do if You Find That Your Bearded Dragon Has Passed a Sperm Plug?
If you find that your bearded dragon has passed a sperm plug, then you should try to keep them as clean as possible, so that they do not get any infections from the bacteria growing on their skin where the sperm plugs are located. It is also important to make sure that their water dish is clean at all times so that they stay hydrated and do not develop dehydration from passing the sperm plug.
If you notice any signs of infection, such as redness or swelling, then you should take them to see an exotic pet veterinarian immediately. Bearded dragon sperm plugs can be a natural occurrence, but if you notice your pet having issues with his/her sperm plug, it may be time to get it removed with the help of a professional.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it! Hopefully, this article has helped you learn more about bearded dragon sperm plugs, and how you can deal with them in the future.
Remember to always keep an eye on your beardies, as they could be suffering from one of these issues without showing any physical symptoms until it’s too late.
Veterinarian (DVM, MS) Content Writer, Blogger, and WordPress Developer. Working as a pet/animal/bird/fish/reptile/wildlife writer for the past 7 years on many renowned platforms.
