This has never been documented before in the world’s largest snake. Over the next several months, their molecular lab determined through genetic testing and analysis that all six offspring were produced by the mother alone, without sperm from a male snake. Shed skins from the mother and all six offspring – as well as other biological material – were sent to a molecular ecology laboratory in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Tulsa, in Oklahoma. 12, 2012, the first of six healthy reticulate pythons hatched with an average individual weight of 148.3 grams (5.23 ounces). A decision was made to artificially incubate some of the clutch to ascertain whether the eggs were actually fertile. It is not uncommon for a snake to lay infertile eggs, so the staff was surprised when the eggs appeared to be full and healthy instead of shrunken and discolored shells (typical of infertile reptile eggs). The eggs were covered and brooded by the coiled female for two weeks before being removed by Zoo staff for examination. In the summer of 2012, the snake had laid a clutch of 61 eggs. The 20-foot 200 pound reticulate python affectionately known as “Thelma” had been housed at the Louisville Zoo for more than two years prior to the clutch, without a male. We have a “news of the weird” story for you! Zoo staff made an incredible discovery in the HerpAquarium - a world’s first! We are proud to announce that the Louisville Zoo and researchers from the University of Tulsa have discovered that the world’s largest snake is capable of virgin birth or what is called parthenogenesis.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |