🐍
The World's Largest Orgies
When red-sided garter snakes emerge from hibernation, up to 75,000 gather in writhing 'mating balls' — some of the largest mating aggregations on Earth.
Red-sided Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis
These snakes emerge from hibernation in massive numbers, creating some of the largest mating aggregations in the animal kingdom.
Vital Stats
🏷️ TypeSnake (colubrid)
🌍 Found InCentral North America (Manitoba, Canada) — prairies and wetlands
📏 Size45-67cm
⏳ Lifespan10-12 years
🔞 Sexual Maturity2-3 years
💕 Mating SystemExtreme polygyny — up to 100 males pursue 1 female in 'mating balls'
📅 Mating SeasonSpring (May) — 2-3 weeks after emergence from brumation
🤰 GestationLive birth after 2-3 months
👶 Offspring10-40 live young
🍆 Penis Size5 cm
⏱️ Sex Duration20 minutes
🔬 Notable AnatomyMales emerge first and wait for females; some males mimic female pheromones to steal warmth
⚖️ Sexual DimorphismFemales significantly larger