All snakes belong to the reptile class, every schoolchild knows this today. These creatures are cold-blooded and, in the minds of many, breed by laying eggs. Therefore, the question of how snakes give birth may seem strange to many. But do not rush to draw conclusions.
Snake breeding
Before talking about how reptiles are born, it is more appropriate to deal with the process of reproduction itself. Snakes have paired genitals, in the female it is a cesspool, and in the male it is hemipenis. When mating, two individuals are intertwined by their tails. At this moment, the male hemipenis enters the female’s cloaca and ejaculation occurs. An interesting fact is that many species of snakes are able to retain sperm for years after fertilization. Cases are known when the female hatches the offspring 5-6 years after the last intercourse with the male. In general, the reproduction process is characteristic of many animal species, but how do snakes give birth?
Egg production and traditional masonry
If you ask a person who is not keen on the animal kingdom about how reptiles are born, then there is a high probability of hearing in response that they hatch from eggs. And this statement is partly true. Many types of snakes really suit traditional masonry. The nest usually has a fairly simple design: this is a bunch of rotting organic debris. How do snakes give birth when creating traditional masonry? It's simple: at the right moment, the female lays eggs. But after this, the snake does not leave its offspring, but is always somewhere nearby and guards the nest. When rotting produces heat, which heats the masonry. Also, many species of snakes specially bask in the sun in order to transfer the stored heat to the eggs afterwards.
If the incubation period is short, which occurs in some species, the young can hatch from the shell even in the mother's body. How do snakes give birth in this case? This method of offspring is called egg production.
Do viviparous snakes exist?
Some reptiles seem to have borrowed the process of bearing offspring in mammals. Such snakes do not lay eggs. Cubs develop in the body of the mother, receiving nutrition through a simple placenta. When the offspring is ready to begin an independent life, it is born. Now you know how snakes give birth. Photos of this process are mesmerizing and endlessly surprising. And, meanwhile, the American garter is already known to everyone as an ordinary viper. Almost all marine species of snakes do not lay eggs. These reptiles have a very developed instinct for self-preservation. Snakes are anxious about their offspring, their nests are never arranged randomly, even though they look that way.
Going to lay eggs or produce cubs in the light, the female carefully chooses a secluded place. A similar picture can be seen in any terrarium. Before giving birth, the female must hide in a shelter or build a nest. What happens in the natural environment, how do snakes give birth? On a tree, on the ground, or even in burrows and hollows - this is where offspring are born. Young growth needs some time to grow stronger and get comfortable in a new world for them. And the mother instinctively seeks to bring her offspring into the world where she is most protected from the negative effects of the environment and various enemies.