PARTHENOGENESIS !!!!

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Posted by Walt Deptula on May 28, 2001 at 12:27:02:

In Reply to: Yellow Ratsnake Laying Eggs posted by Valerie on May 23, 2001 at 20:18:51:

: Hi there
: I have a seven foot long female Yellow Ratsnake. She lives alone and she's very tame. She's at least seven years old.

: SHE HAS HAD NO CONTACT WITH ANY MALE SNAKE EVER IN TE LAST SEVEN YEARS. She was captured wild earlier than seven years ago.

: She's laying eggs - a LOT of eggs. Right now she's up to thirteen.

: Is there any possible way these eggs would be fertile?

: Thank you for any guidance you can give.

Hi Valerie,

As Glenn suggested there is always the possibility of sperm storage. Another possibility is that of parthenogenesis. Parthenogenesis is the fertilization of eggs without the female having ever been with a male. I don't believe that there exists any known records of this occurring in snakes that are not live bearers but all things are possible. I am presently investigating a similar report in a L.t.triangulum. Pathenogenesis could only be determined with certainty by DNA band testing but could be surmised upon hatching (if any eggs do) if all neonates were found to be males.

Please email me.

Walt Deptula

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: : : Hi there : : I have a seven foot long female Yellow Ratsnake. She lives alone and she's very tame. She's at least seven years old. : : SHE HAS HAD NO CONTACT WITH ANY MALE SNAKE EVER IN TE LAST SEVEN YEARS. She was captured wild earlier than seven years ago. : : She's laying eggs - a LOT of eggs. Right now she's up to thirteen. : : Is there any possible way these eggs would be fertile? : : Thank you for any guidance you can give. : Hi Valerie, : As Glenn suggested there is always the possibility of sperm storage. Another possibility is that of parthenogenesis. Parthenogenesis is the fertilization of eggs without the female having ever been with a male. I don't believe that there exists any known records of this occurring in snakes that are not live bearers but all things are possible. I am presently investigating a similar report in a L.t.triangulum. Pathenogenesis could only be determined with certainty by DNA band testing but could be surmised upon hatching (if any eggs do) if all neonates were found to be males. : Please email me. : Walt Deptula

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