Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: neilep on 31/08/2007 17:34:58

Title: Why do some snakes give birth to live young and other snakes lay eggs?
Post by: neilep on 31/08/2007 17:34:58
These are snake eggs !


* CornSnakeEggs001.JPG (66.9 kB . 504x378 - viewed 150253 times)

and this is a baby snake !!


* BabyRingnecksnake.jpg (16.87 kB . 288x259 - viewed 84106 times)

Cute little tyke eh ?


How come some snakes lay eggs and others give birth directly to baby snakes ?

Are there other animals that have this birthing distinction too ?


Thanksssssssssssssssssssssssss !!




Title: Re: Why do some snakes give birth to live young and other snakes lay eggs?
Post by: Robinson on 05/09/2007 23:15:42
Snakes can reproduce in many ways... but all snakes use internal fertilization. As you noted some snakes lay eggs and leave them so they hatch on their own, some retain the eggs within them, and some give birth to live snakes. Those that give birth are really unusual because that kind of reproduction is typically only found in the placental mammals. It's thought that the type of reproduction is based on the environments - so generally eggs outside and live birth occur in cold environments and retention of the eggs inside are found in hotter environments. One snake can reproduce without mating.... check it out here: http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761578341_3/Snake_(reptile).html.
Title: Re: Why do some snakes give birth to live young and other snakes lay eggs?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 06/09/2007 06:25:58
Does potential predation come into it at all?
Title: Re: Why do some snakes give birth to live young and other snakes lay eggs?
Post by: neilep on 06/09/2007 15:08:57
Snakes can reproduce in many ways... but all snakes use internal fertilization. As you noted some snakes lay eggs and leave them so they hatch on their own, some retain the eggs within them, and some give birth to live snakes. Those that give birth are really unusual because that kind of reproduction is typically only found in the placental mammals. It's thought that the type of reproduction is based on the environments - so generally eggs outside and live birth occur in cold environments and retention of the eggs inside are found in hotter environments. One snake can reproduce without mating.... check it out here: http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761578341_3/Snake_(reptile).html.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH Robinson and a warm welcome to the site.

WOW !!.....wonderful information and extraordinary info about the self reproducing snake !..the flowerpot blind snake !..how on earth does a single sex animal evolve to be come so I wonder !....?
Title: Re: Why do some snakes give birth to live young and other snakes lay eggs?
Post by: Monox D. I-Fly on 24/08/2017 04:44:35
I wonder if whether a snake lays egg or gives birth indicates its venomous status. It will make distinguishing them a bit more convenient.
Title: Re: Why do some snakes give birth to live young and other snakes lay eggs?
Post by: chris on 24/08/2017 07:50:37
Not that I am aware of.