Snake rescued with ‘hemipenis’ exposed

A SNAKE exposing its private parts has been rescued from a Tasmanian foreshore – but its exposed organ did not survive the ordeal.

The male tiger snake was suffering from a prolapsed reproductive organ and is recovering after it was amputated.

Snake educator Bruce Press rescued the 70cm long snake from foreshore scrub in Sandford this week and noticed its “hemipenis”, the term for a snake’s sex organ, could not retract.

The snake rescuer said it was the first time he had encountered the condition.

“I’ve only read about it – I’ve never seen it before,” said Mr Press, of Reptile Rescue Tasmania.

He said snakes had two cop- ulatory organs, known as “hemipenes” in the plural, and they were usually held inside their bodies except during reproduction.

Mr Press said he was concerned for the snake’s welfare as the prolapsed organ was likely to wear out or develop an infection.

“The snake is not worried at all but it will cause problems,” Mr Press said.

The snake was taken to a vet yesterday, where its prolapsed hemipenis was found to be so damaged it was amputated.

Sandy Bay vet James Harris, who performed the surgery, said the organ had become necrotic, or dead.

“Rather than euthanise the snake we elected to amputate the tissue,” Dr Harris said.

“And it’s now gone back into care and it’s going to be observed for a while and all being well it should be releasable.’’

Mr Press is caring for the snake during its recovery. The snake rescue was the seventh callout for Mr Press this season, which he said started about five weeks ago.

“Snakes have certainly started coming out,” he said.