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Snake Gives Birth Twice Without a Mate!
31 Mar
Summary
- A snake named Ronaldo gave birth to 12 babies without a mate.
- This is the second time the 14-year-old boa constrictor has done this.
- Parthenogenesis in this species is rare, happening only three times before.
A 14-year-old Brazilian rainbow boa constrictor named Ronaldo has achieved a remarkable feat, giving birth to a litter of 12 snakelets for a second time without mating. This extraordinary event, known as parthenogenesis, is exceptionally rare in this species, with only three previous documented cases. Ronaldo's caretaker expressed that the reptile's ability to reproduce twice asexually could be an unprecedented occurrence in scientific records.
The boa constrictor exhibited typical signs of pregnancy, including nesting behaviors, shedding excess skin, and a reduced appetite. She was housed in a controlled vivarium at City of Portsmouth College, allowing students to observe her condition and learn about rearing young snakes. Ronaldo had previously given birth to a litter of 14 offspring two years ago, in June 2024.
Rescued by the college's animal care technician, Pete Quinlan, from the RSPCA, Ronaldo has been under his care for nine years. He praised the college's facilities, suggesting that the perfect conditions present were instrumental in enabling parthenogenesis to occur. While virgin births are known in some animal species, they remain a novelty, particularly among vertebrates.
