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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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Total News Sources16
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 25%
C 67%
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