Interesting facts about reptiles: how do snakes multiply

Snakes - cold-blooded animals, common on all continents, except perhaps Antarctica. There are more than 3000 species on the Earth. These reptiles are harmless and very poisonous, small (only a few centimeters long) and giant (more than 10 meters). Their habitat is also very diverse. They live in salt or fresh water, in swamps and forests, in steppes and deserts. And sometimes they are found in domestic terrariums. Reproduction of snakes in many respects depends on what kind of species they are, and on their habitat. Most reptiles are oviparous, but there are viviparous specimens among them.

On the marriage period

Although among the snakes and come across the hermaphrodites, in most cases they are still heterosexual. Consequently, 2 individuals participate in the process of reproduction: male and female. Often externally, they are not particularly different, except that in size, less often - color. Sometimes males have a flatter tail shape.

The mating season for snakes comes, as a rule, after hibernation, when the air temperature becomes comfortable enough for growing offspring. Reptiles inhabiting the desert and semi-desert areas reproduce with the onset of a favorable period, which does not always depend on the time of the year.

Male takes care of the chosen one is not too active. Having detected it by smell, it begins persecution, and at the meeting expresses its intentions by stroking or shaking its head. During this period, animals show special aggression. Therefore, do not try to see how the snakes reproduce in natural conditions, especially when it comes to poisonous representatives of scaly reptiles.

There are species that mate in large groups, hanging into a huge ball. The process can last several days. It is also surprising that a fertilized female is able to carry in itself sperm for a long time, preserving its ability to fertilize. The very conception occurs when the environment is maximally favorable for this.

Hermaphrodites

Among the snakes they are not found often, but still such cases happen. As a rule, we are talking about island botrops, inhabiting predominantly South America. Amazing is the fact that among the individuals of one species can come across both sexes and hermaphrodites. The latter have sexual characteristics of both male and female. Therefore, one snake is enough for reproduction.

But this is not the only interesting fact from the life of reptiles. Some females manage to lay off unfertilized eggs, from which the offspring successfully hatch. This method of reproduction is very rare and is called "parthenogenesis."

Place of masonry

For any female, eggs are the most valuable thing that she has. And snakes are no exception. Therefore, the place for masonry is chosen quiet, safe and most comfortable. Steppe snakes often live in burrows and hide their masonry there. The woods do this under driftwood, and the desert is often buried in the sand. Everything depends on the environment and habitat.

Females usually guard their offspring by warming it with active contraction of the muscles of the body until it is born. It is difficult to name caregivers as parents, the cubs show their independence literally from the first minutes of life, gaining their livelihood and not counting on adults. In some species, the male is responsible for the safety of the nest, and sometimes the parents guard it in turn.

Viviparous species

Regardless of how the snakes multiply, their embryos almost always develop inside the egg, feeding on its environment. In most cases this happens in a nest or other secret place. But sometimes the cubs develop directly inside the female and are born, while hatching from the eggs. At the same time they are completely independent from the first days of life.

Viviparous in the classical sense of snakes also occur in nature. They are mainly inhabitants of water bodies, as well as some boas and vipers. In this case, the embryo breathes and feeds through a single blood system with the mother.

Breeding of snakes in captivity

Reptiles are increasingly found as pets. This is mainly due to the ease of care. With a snake it is not necessary to walk, they feed rarely, behave, basically, passively. The main thing is to correctly choose a terrarium and follow the recommendations of a specialist in terms of climate.

Observe how the snakes multiply in captivity, it is rare, since this happens only with a favorable confluence of several circumstances. Firstly, there should be 2 of them, and of different sexes. Species related to hermaphrodites do not contain homes. People, in the main, acquire boas or stumps. Some of them live in the wild in the trees. Therefore, for a comfortable stay in captivity, in addition to the appropriate temperature and humidity, it is necessary to create an imitation of the trunk, roots, spread the pieces of bark. See how the snakes multiply in the terrarium, you can only if they are absolutely comfortable. Before the planned matrimonial period, it is better to settle the pair and hold it for several days separately, slightly lowering the temperature. Thus, imitation of hibernation occurs in natural conditions. Then they are placed in a common terrarium, increase the temperature and wait for the result.

Snakes are amazing and mysterious creatures that inhabit our planet. Many myths and legends are associated with these animals. Many are afraid of them, and some of them are in their apartment as pets. Sometimes even in terrariums one can get offspring. But that the snakes began to multiply in captivity, they should be really comfortable.