A remarkable discovery was made at the City of Portsmouth College when a snake believed to be male gave birth to 14 snakelets.
Ronaldo’s Surprising Birth
Ronaldo, a 13-year-old boa constrictor, shocked everyone by producing these snakelets without a mate.
The Caretaker’s Initial Assumption
Pete Quinlan, an animal care technician at the college, had always thought Ronaldo was male until she gave birth.
No Contact with Males
Quinlan confirmed that Ronaldo had not been in contact with a male snake for the nine years he has cared for her.
Virgin Birth Phenomenon
The process by which Ronaldo gave birth is called parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction.
Rare Occurrence in Snakes
Parthenogenesis in Brazilian rainbow boa constrictors, like Ronaldo, has only been documented three times before.
Quinlan’s Rescue Efforts
Quinlan rescued Ronaldo from the RSPCA nine years ago, unaware of her true gender.
New Beginnings at the College
When Quinlan began working at the college two years ago, he brought his collection of snakes, including Ronaldo, with him.
The Day of the Births
On the day the snakelets were born, Quinlan was not present, adding to the surprise.
Alert from a Student
A student first noticed the baby snakes moving around inside one of the tanks and alerted a staff member.
Quinlan’s Reaction
Quinlan raced to the scene and was astonished to find baby snakes everywhere.
Snakelets’ Appearance
The newborn snakelets displayed a variety of colors, including brown, grey, black, and white.
Occurrence in Invertebrates
Virgin births are more common among invertebrates like insects, which can reproduce asexually.
Cloning Process
These invertebrates typically clone themselves, creating genetically identical offspring.
Recent Stingray Example
In February, a stingray in the US also became pregnant without a mate, showing parthenogenesis in action.
Novelty Among Vertebrates
Virgin births are rare among vertebrates, making Ronaldo’s case particularly fascinating.
Educational Impact
This unexpected event has provided a unique educational opportunity for the students and staff at the college.
Broader Implications
Ronaldo’s virgin birth may prompt further studies into parthenogenesis in snakes and other vertebrates.
Future Care for the Snakelets
Quinlan and the college will now have the responsibility of caring for these 14 new snakelets.
A Lesson in Nature’s Wonders
This extraordinary event highlights the wonders of nature and the unexpected surprises it can bring. I hope you enjoyed reading about the snake gives birth to 14 snakelets. To read more stories like this, check out the article below:
- Snake Creeps Up on Unsuspecting Mother and Baby In Chilling Encounter
- Rare and Highly Toxic Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Found in Ohio
- Snake With Over 500 Ticks Found In Swimming Pool
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adventuring, photography and videography. I am currently working towards a BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology at Stellenbosch University to go on to specialise in Marine Sciences one day.
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