On August 27, three Louisiana pine snakes were born at the Memphis Zoo thanks to frozen sperm, marking the success of research that has spanned over five years.
Louisiana Pine Snake (Pituophis ruthveni) is classified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a threatened species and could soon become endangered. This species typically lives underground in central and western Louisiana and eastern Texas, is non-venomous, and subdues its prey by constriction. They primarily feed on Baird’s pocket mice, but the habitat of this mouse species has been shrinking since the 1930s.
Louisiana Pine Snake artificially inseminated with frozen sperm. (Photo: Memphis Zoo)
Currently, the population of Louisiana pine snakes is small and fragmented, making them vulnerable to extreme weather events and diseases. As the population declines, the gene pool becomes too homogeneous, harming the snakes’ ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Previously, conservation efforts using the “Frozen Zoo” technique—where genetic material is preserved through freezing—focused mainly on mammals, birds, and amphibians, while reptiles were often overlooked. Although it is impossible to revive extinct species, the recent achievement of the Memphis Zoo has confirmed the potential of biobanks and assisted reproductive technologies in reptile conservation.
The expert team at the Memphis Zoo collected, froze, and thawed sperm, which was then used to artificially inseminate a female Louisiana pine snake. The hatchling has been confirmed to be the offspring of the donated male through genetic testing, setting a new precedent in reptile conservation.
“We view this success as a significant step toward improving the genetic health of Louisiana pine snakes and other threatened reptiles in the future,” said Tonia Schwartz, an associate professor of Biology at Auburn University.
“The Memphis Zoo is setting an example for the global community. We have demonstrated that frozen genetic material can be used to help recover a threatened species, paving the way for similar efforts with other reptiles in the future,” shared Mark Sandfoss, the head of the research team.
The Memphis Zoo plans to continue its reptile conservation work based on its success with the Louisiana pine snake, while also collaborating with other organizations worldwide to apply this technique to other endangered reptile species.
