How Do Snakes Mate?
Snakes mate by wrapping their tails around each other until both tails meet the cloaca, which is the area for reproduction and waste excretion. The male extends and inserts his sex organs, known as the hemipenes, which expel sperm into the female.
A female snake attracts males by releasing pheromones from her back and leaving a scent trail behind. Males that pick up her scent follow, and the mating process begins. The male initiates contact by placing his chin over her head and sliding his body over hers. She then lifts her tail for penetration. The actual mating process usually doesn’t last longer than an hour, but there are cases when it lasts the entire day. Females typically mate two times a year. Some snakes give birth, and others lay eggs.
