Snake Gives Birth, Sans Sperm

In what could perhaps be seen as an evolution strategy to survive, a snake in Missouri has given birth, without males, second year in a row.

Times Gazette reported the yellow-bellied at Missouri's Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center snake has not been close to a male snake for eight years. It first gave birth without sperm last year. Two of the offspring from last year are said to be in good health. This year's newborns have however not survived. The birth process of the snake, colloquially being referred as 'Virgin Birth' is scientifically called parthenogenesis.

The newborn snakes' membranes from this year were noticed by an intern who mistook them for tomatoes.

Calling the event rare for a snake, experts said such births are rewriting theories which seek to explain the phenomenon.

"For many years, it was believed that such birth in captivity was due to sperm storage. However, genetics is proving a different story," Jeff Briggler said according to The Washington Post, while adding that the female snake has been away from a male to store any sperm.