A male Brazilian rainbow boa named Ronaldo, who lived alone in a enclosure at Portsmouth College in England, has astonished many by unexpectedly giving birth.
A student at Portsmouth College, while conducting a routine check and cleaning of Ronaldo’s enclosure, was taken by surprise when they discovered 14 baby snakes appearing in the cage.
“We were very surprised and couldn’t believe our eyes. At first, we thought we were mistaken, but upon closer inspection, they were indeed the offspring of Ronaldo,” shared Amanda McLeod, a caretaker for Ronaldo the boa.
14 hatchlings found in the enclosure of rainbow boa Ronaldo. (Photo: PA).
Pete Quinlan, a reptile specialist at Portsmouth College, was called in to examine the situation. He also expressed his shock at the occurrence.
“I have kept various species of snakes for 50 years and have never witnessed anything like this before,” Quinlan stated. “The baby snakes are replicas of their mother, although their patterns differ slightly. Ronaldo did seem to be gaining weight, but we all thought it was due to overeating, not pregnancy.”
Quinlan has cared for Ronaldo for the past nine years after the boa was discovered abandoned on the street by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a UK charity focused on animal protection. Previously, the animal appeared to have been a pet.
Only upon the discovery of the baby snakes did Quinlan recheck Ronaldo’s sex and find out that they had been mistaken about the animal’s gender all along. Ronaldo is a female boa, rather than the male that many initially believed.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn about the development of baby boas,” Quinlan added.
Quinlan is busy determining the sex of the 14 hatchlings and preparing new enclosures for them. Once the young snakes mature, they will be moved to new homes.
Regarding the phenomenon of snakes giving birth without mating, Quinlan believes this is “a miraculous birth” and a rare example of parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction that occurs without fertilization.
Parthenogenesis usually occurs in some species of plants, insects, reptiles, and invertebrates. Although it is very rare in vertebrate animals, this phenomenon sometimes occurs in certain species of snakes, lizards, sharks, and birds. Parthenogenesis allows some species to maintain their lineage in situations where finding a mate is challenging. The case of Ronaldo the boa is the third recorded instance of Brazilian rainbow boas reproducing in captivity without mating. |
The Brazilian rainbow boa (scientific name Epicrates cenchria) is a non-venomous reptile, known for its shimmering scales in the light. Due to this unique scale pattern, the Brazilian rainbow boa is a popular pet among enthusiasts.
This species is native to Central and South America, found in countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador. They typically inhabit humid tropical forests, rainforests, and riverine areas. They enjoy climbing trees and are strong swimmers. The Brazilian rainbow boa has a gentle disposition and is easy to tame. Its primary diet consists of small animals such as mice, birds, and lizards. |
