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Snake at Portsmouth college has virgin births - for second time
Ronaldo, a Brazilian rainbow boa at City of Portsmouth College, produced 12 offspring by parthenogenesis, a rare second virgin birth for this species documented only thrice worldwide.
- At Portsmouth College, Ronaldo, a Brazilian Rainbow Boa, gave birth to 12 offspring without mating, marking the second time the snake has experienced a rare "virgin birth."
- Parthenogenesis allows creatures to reproduce without fertilization, a process documented only three times for this species; Ronaldo previously birthed 14 snakelets in 2024, surprising caretakers who originally thought she was male.
- Animal care technician Pete Quinlan said he "can't find any record of it happening twice," crediting the college's perfect vivarium conditions for enabling the births at COPC.
- The 14-year-old snake will soon leave the school to retire with Quinlan, who owned her for nine years before she arrived at COPC.
- Similar "virgin births" have occurred in other captive species, including an iguana in England and a swell shark in Louisiana, which scientists suggest may be a "last ditch" attempt to pass on genetics.
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Brazilian Rainbow Boa Again Gives Birth Via Parthenogenesis - Reptiles Magazine
A Brazilian rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria cenchria) kept at the City of Portsmouth College in Tudor Crescent, Portsmouth, United Kingdom, has given birth to 12 babies via parthenogenesis, marking the second time she has given birth without the aid of a male snake. The 14-year-old snake, named Ronaldo, gave birth to 14 snakes in 2024 via parthengenesis. This marks the fourth documented case in which a Brazilian rainbow boa reproduced via parthe…
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Total News Sources18
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 25%
C 67%
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