Although a wide range of reproductive modes are used by snakes, all snakes employ internal fertilization. This is accomplished by means of paired, forked hemipenes, which are stored, inverted, in the male's tail.[54] The hemipenes are often grooved, hooked, or spined in order to grip the walls of the female's cloaca.[54]
Most species of snakes lay eggs, but most snakes abandon the eggs shortly after laying. However, a few species (such as the king cobra) actually construct nests and stay in the vicinity of the hatchlings after incubation.[54] Most pythons coil around their egg-clutches and remain with them until they hatch.[55] A female python will not leave the eggs, except to occasionally bask in the sun or drink water. She will even "shiver" to generate heat to incubate the eggs.[55]
Some species of snake are ovoviviparous and retain the eggs within their bodies until they are almost ready to hatch.[56][57] Recently, it has been confirmed that several species of snake are fully viviparous, such as the boa constrictor and green anaconda, nourishing their young through a placenta as well as a yolk sac, which is highly unusual among reptiles, or anything else outside of requiem sharks or placental mammals.[56][57] Retention of eggs and live birth are most often associated with colder environments.[54][57]
No comments:
Post a Comment