Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I am posting because I have a question. Recently, I was able to obtain a single adult specimen of Rhamphotyphlops for my collection. Unfortunately, it is currently the only specimen of this species in my collection. I was wondering if it would be able for it to reproduce in the naturalistis habitat that I have created for it. I understand that these are parthenogenic snakes, but is any type interaction with other snakes required to allow egg laying? Might this species be like to Mourning gecko, in the way that two females mate, then lay eggs? Or is it different in snakes than in lizards? What about the ocassional Burmese python or timber rattler that gives birth without being exposed to a male? Were any females present? I would really like to know, because I am hoping to end up with more snakes (Some sites say that the parent gives birth to eight genetic copies of itself), resulting in a more in-depth research project. Thanks!
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DAVE

0.0.1 Western green toad
0.0.1 green treefrog
0.0.1 Oriental fire-bellied toad
0.1 Western hog-nosed snake
0.0.1 Okeetee corn snake
1.1 red-cheeked mud turtles
0.1 Dubia day gecko
0.0.1 yellow * Everglades rat snake
0.0.1 Eastern mud snake
1.0 Yunnan beauty snake
1.0 scarlet kingsnake
0.1 albino African clawed frog
0.0.1 Northern black racer
0.0.1 African brown house snake (Zambia locale)
0.0.1 Sonoran gopher snake
1.2 European fire salamanders
(parthenogenic) Brahminy blindsnakes *

It's never happened in snakes, only lizards. Sperm retention is what usually happens in "single" females.
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

In addition to the species the poster references, which consists only of females reproducing parthenogenically, there are verified cases in the scientific literature of burmese pythons and timber rattlers reproducing parthenogenically.

The whole point of being parthenogenetic is so that one animal can colonize an island or other isolated habitat. So it seems unlikely that the presence of other animals would be required.

The only verified case, as far as I know, of a burmese python reproducing parthenogenetically was at the Amsterdam Zoo. I read the paper and got the impression she was kept with other females, but I'm not sure why it matters, because it's very different. The animal you're talking about reproduces only parthenogenically, whereas in pythons it must be extremely rare. Drawing conclusions from one to the other makes little sense.

If I'm wrong, I stand corrected, but as far as I knew, certain lizards were the only ones that could...mostly whiptails.
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

>>If I'm wrong, I stand corrected, but as far as I knew, certain lizards were the only ones that could...mostly whiptails.
>>-----

Google (see http://tinyurl.co.uk/zr1o) can get you to a lot of discussion on this. While rare, there is good evidence, including DNA analysis, that it does occur.

deg

I live and learn....
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

It's not rare in Ramphotyphlops. It's the only way they reproduce, because males don't exist.

It's rare for burmese pythons and some other snakes.

Hi there,

I am trying to film these snakes for a BBC documentary, if anyone can advise me on getting hold of some ( in the US ) I woudl be extremely grateful.

Hi,

About the whiptail lizards (only wondering with these because they appear to be the most well documented parthenogenic species), can they reproduce more than one time, or are parthenogenic animals able to reproduce only once, due to possible screw-ups with genetics? I wonder...
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DAVE

0.0.1 Western green toad
0.0.1 green treefrog
0.0.1 Oriental fire-bellied toad
0.1 Western hog-nosed snake
0.0.1 Okeetee corn snake
1.1 red-cheeked mud turtles
0.1 Dubia day gecko
0.0.1 yellow * Everglades rat snake
0.0.1 Eastern mud snake
1.0 Yunnan beauty snake
1.0 scarlet kingsnake
0.1 albino African clawed frog
0.0.1 Northern black racer
0.0.1 African brown house snake (Zambia locale)
0.0.1 Sonoran gopher snake
1.2 European fire salamanders
(parthenogenic) Brahminy blindsnakes *

They reproduce frequently, to the point of colonies of females. The males head to the bar for drinks
-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

"The Giant Snakes", 1961. My favorite book, growing up. Page 124.

"In some 15 species of snakes it has been determined that the sperm remain active for several months or longer. The record periods are four and a half and 6 years. (C. Leigh reports an Indian Python that laid eggs nine, ten, eleven, and thirteen years after mating. The history of the eggs is not given and therefore their fertility has not been established beyond all question)".

This info in that book was taken from the Journal, Bombay Natural History Society, 1947 and 1951. I can provide page numbers if anyone can find the Journal
-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

>>The whole point of being parthenogenetic is so that one animal can colonize an island or other isolated habitat. So it seems unlikely that the presence of other animals would be required.
>>
>>The only verified case, as far as I know, of a burmese python reproducing parthenogenetically was at the Amsterdam Zoo. I read the paper and got the impression she was kept with other females, but I'm not sure why it matters, because it's very different. The animal you're talking about reproduces only parthenogenically, whereas in pythons it must be extremely rare. Drawing conclusions from one to the other makes little sense.

What's the name of that little Viper off the coast of S.A. that has male, female, and "both"?
-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

Golden Lance-head?
:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

....email not working again?? Responded twice to yours....
:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

if you look on nerds forums they had a afrock reproduce through parthonegenisis(sp)