Reptile & Amphibian Forums

...could a ball python and a boa produce offspring?

Like the subject title says, most likely no, but stranger things have happened.

The main two reasons why this hybrid cross would not work would be because of the genetic differences (don't know the diploid numbers off the top of my head)and also because of the differences in reproduction(ball pythons lay eggs, boa's give live birth) which is also a major obstacle.

Hope this helps, and if you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

-Dan

...has there ever been a reliable case of a live-bearing snake successfully crossing with an egg-layer? Or is this stretching the realm of possibility?

Thanks again!

Like I said in my first post, I'm pretty sure that this has not happened, mainly because of the difference in reproduction.

Basically to simplify it goes like this: Mating occurs between an egg layer and livebearer(lets say ball python X hogg Island boa), sperm meets egg, and if the genetic differences are small enough between the two then conception will occur, and the egg will be fertilized. Now, the zygote(fertilized egg) will begin to grow and go through the steps it needs in order be ready to be born. This is where the major problem in trying to do this cross comes in, since the zygote contains half its' genetic information from an egg layer, and half from a livebearer, then it is not most likely not going to be suited to either form of birth, and thus will be aborted, miscarried, or die during birth process.

Hope this helps,
-Dan