Recently I filmed a pair of large ratsnakes, who were mating along a busy public trail. The romantic reptiles were so preoccupied with one another, that they decided to crawl OVER ME instead of slithering AROUND ME!

Encounters with mating snakes and turtles are rare, but not unheard of, because the act may last for hours at a time! Male snakes spend all of their energy snuggling with their lady, while attempting to line up their vents, also known as cloacas. Once the vents are lined up, internal fertilization may occur, very similar to mammals. The male snake inserts one of his TWO hemipenes from his vent into the female's vent, and thus achieves fatherhood. Yes, male snakes have TWO hemipenes, pronounced hemmy-peens. And yes, they can use them BOTH in one session. It's always good to have a backup plan!

The oblivious animals prefer their privacy, but will sometimes spill out into public view. If you encounter mating snakes, please learn from our video that they want nothing to do with you. The males will sometimes give love-bites to their lovers, to hold them in place, but these two had no interest in biting me while I documented their courtship.