Why do some snakes lay eggs and others have live birth?

Snakes evolved viviparous and ovoviviparous means of reproduction when the risk of predation was lower for the mother than for a clutch of eggs. Rattlesnakes are an excellent example of this – they can defend themselves with their venom, so the mothers are relatively safe to carry their offspring.

Do poisonous snakes lay eggs or give live birth?

The highly venomous king cobra builds a nest for her eggs, and even stays with the hatchlings for a while after they have hatched. Conclusion: Most of the world’s snake species (about 70\%) reproduce by laying eggs. But vipers, rattlesnakes, boas, and most of the sea snakes give birth to live young.

Do snakes lay eggs when not pregnant?

Conservation Department herpetologist Jeff Briggler said virgin births are rare but can occur in some species through a process called parthenogenesis. It occurs in some insects, fish, amphibians, birds and reptiles, including some snakes, but not mammals.

Do some snakes have live births?

Answer: No! While snakes are known for laying eggs, not all of them do so! Some do not externally lay eggs, but instead produce young by eggs that are hatched internally (or inside) the body of the parent. Animals that are able to give this version of live birth are known as ovoviviparous.

Do black snakes give live birth?

The answer in short is no. Most snakes lay eggs, but there are some families of snakes that do not. Some snakes lay eggs and others give birth to live young.

Do ball pythons give live birth?

“All pythons are egg layers (oviparous),” said Viernum. This sets them apart from boas, the world’s family of other large constricting snakes, which give birth to live young. “Most species of python provide parental care to their eggs,” Viernum continued.

Do snakes give birth through their mouth?

There is a common misconception that snakes give birth through their mouths. This is not true: Snakes do not give birth through their mouths. However, not all species of snakes give birth the same way. The way that a female snake delivers her babies depends on the species of snake.

Why do some snakes lay eggs and others don t?

Snake eggs & baby snakes Not all snakes lay eggs, either. These types of snakes are called oviparous. The other 30 percent give birth to live young, much like mammals. This is because some climates are too cold for eggs to develop and hatch, so snakes living in colder climates do not lay eggs.

What kind of snake has live babies?

Water snakes, rat snakes, and garter snakes are some of the members of the large colubrid family. Water snakes are among the few members of the colubrid family that give birth to live young. They are viviparous, which means their young meet all requirements for development inside the placenta or the yolk sac.