Snake | Animals Do It Too

Vital Stats

🏷️ TypeReptile (legless squamate)

🌍 Found InEvery continent except Antarctica — diverse habitats from deserts to oceans

📏 Size10cm to 9m depending on species

⏳ Lifespan5-30+ years depending on species

🔞 Sexual Maturity2-5 years depending on species

💕 Mating SystemVaries — some form mating balls with dozens of males

📅 Mating SeasonTypically spring after emergence from brumation

🤰 GestationEgg-layers: 1-3 months | Live-bearers: 3-5 months

👶 Offspring2-100 depending on species

🍆 Penis Size10 cm

⏱️ Sex Duration5 minutes

🔬 Notable AnatomyMales have paired hemipenes — two penises, use only one per mating

⚖️ Sexual DimorphismFemales often larger; males may have longer tails

Male snakes and lizards have two penises (hemipenes) but only use one at a time — and they often alternate sides between matings.

Female snakes have paired clitorises called hemiclitores — scientists had confused them with scent glands for years.

Snake vaginas co-evolve with male hemipenes — species with branched hemipenes have females with branched cloacas to match.