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College shocked at rare asexual snake birth
The birth is an extremely rare phenomenon known as parthenogenesis.
Ronaldo the Brazilian rainbow boa gave birth to 14 snakelets.

Ronaldo, a 13-year-old Brazilian rainbow boa, has given birth to 14 baby snakelets – despite previously being thought to be male.

Staff and students at the City of Portsmouth College, where the six-foot snake lives, were especially shocked since Ronaldo had not been in contact with other snakes in at least nine years.

The birth is believed to be an extremely rare phenomenon called parthenogenesis. Parthenogenesis, a natural form of asexual reproduction, occurs when embryos develop without fertilisation.

Although it takes place in other animals and plants, this is only the third documented case in a captive Brazilian rainbow boa.

The birth was discovered by a student at the college, as part of a routine vivarium check. With Ronaldo previously declared male by a veterinary surgeon, staff thought that the student was mistaken.

After seeing the 14 snakelets, the college called in Pete Quinlan, a reptile specialist who had been caring for Ronaldo. The snake had been in Mr Quinlan’s care for the past nine years, after being adopted from the RSPCA.

Mr Quinlan has now started working out what sex the snakelets are, and is setting up 14 vivaria for the new arrivals. Once they are grown, the snakes will be rehomed.

The college hopes that the unexpected arrival will provide students with an opportunity to learn about the development of baby snakes.

Mr Quinlan said: “I’ve been breeding snakes for 50 years and I’ve never known this happen before. Effectively the babies are clones of their mother although their markings are all slightly different.

“Ronaldo had been looking slightly fatter than usual, like he’d eaten a big meal, but we never thought for a moment that he, or should we say she, was pregnant.”

Image © City of Portsmouth College

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Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

Click here for more...
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The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.