Gives birth for the second time in two years
A snake held in captivity in the USA has given birth without interacting with a member of the opposite sex for the second time in two years.
Representatives at Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Centre in Missouri say that a female yellow-bellied water snake reproduced by herself in 2014 and again in July this year.
Speaking to the Guardian, herpetologist Jeff Briggles said that virgin births are rare but can occur in some species through a process called parthenogenesis.
Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction whereby the young develop from unfertilised eggs. It is most common amongst rotifers and arthropods, and can also be found in some species of bird, fish amphibians and reptiles, but not mammals.
According to experts, no other cases of parthenogenesis by a yellow-bellied water snake have been recorded. Although it may be possible, they believe that it is more likely the female snake stored sperm from her time in the wild - although this is itself is an unusual occurance.
Biology professor Robert Powell told the Guardian: “Long-term storage is unusual. When you run into situations like this, you always wonder, ‘Is that a possibility?'
“If nothing else, it’s an interesting phenomena. Whether this is long-term storage or parthenogenesis, it’s cool. Just another sign that nature works in mysterious ways.”
Image (C) Greg Schechter/Flickr
RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence. 
