Almost all live-bearing snakes are considered ovoviviparous because the developing embryo in the females body is nourished entirely by energy stored in the yolk of the egg. This includes all true boas. A snake can only be considered viviparous if the embryo obtains some of its energy and nutrition directly from the mothers body through a maternal tissue connection similar to a placental membrane. True viviparous reproduction in snakes is rare and only occurs in a very few colubrids, elapids, and vipers.

Kelly

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