College Students Stunned as Snake Gives Birth to 14 Snakes

Students and staff at City of Portsmouth College in England were surprised to discover that a snake they thought was male had given birth to 14 snakes on Friday. The birth is a rare phenomenon called parthenogenesis, a natural form of asexual reproduction, according to the school.

"I've never ever seen this before," said Pete Quinlan, an animal care technician and snake expert with 50 years of experience. "I've bred lots of different types of snakes, lots of different species, and I've just never heard of this. This is just so unusual and so rare."

Quinlan was informed by a student that a 13-year-old Brazilian rainbow boa named Ronaldo had given birth to 14 babies in her enclosure. Determining the sex of adult snakes can be challenging, and Ronaldo had been mistaken for a male.

Quinlan and his colleagues are monitoring the progress of the 14 snakes, and the school plans to keep a few while rehoming the rest. The newborn snakes have not yet had their first meal and will not eat until they finish shedding.

"By this time next week, they all would have probably shed and then they'll have their first meal," Quinlan said, ensuring they will monitor their feeding and health.

The exciting and rare event has left the students at City of Portsmouth College fascinated and eager to care for the newborn snakes.

Saleen Martin, USA TODAY