"Virgin" Anaconda gives birth to the New England Aquarium



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Anna Anaconda gave birth to a litter of baby snakes at the New England Aquarium in January, while she was completely isolated from all male snakes. Aquarium biologists have stated that birth should be an immaculate conception, called "parthenogenesis" in biology, which vaguely translates as "virgin birth" into Greek. DNA tests have confirmed that green anaconda babies 2 feet long are the product of nonsexual reproduction. Parthenogenesis is an extremely rare reproductive strategy in vertebrate species and Anna is only the second known confirmed case of green anaconda.

"Genetically, it's a vulnerable process," said aquarium spokesman Tony LaCasse. "It's in this slogan," life will find a way. "It's a very unique and amazing reproductive strategy, but its viability is low compared to sexual reproduction." common occurrence with parthenogenesis births. Young snakes are genetic copies, or clones, of the mother.

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