Boa Constrictor Gestation
Genus: Boa
Species: B.Constrictor
s
The pregnancy of a female snake can last 4 to over 8
months. They can produce up to 60 in just one litter
although the average is about 20
During mating he
entwined his tail
with hers and laid
side by side. He
then used his
spurs on his tail
to latch onto her
body to insert his
hemipenis.
This female is a 4 year old
Columbian Red Tail Boa. She
is 7 ½ feet long and weighs
12 pounds. She surpasses her
mate as you can tell in this
picture because her body
needs to support her large
litter.
When first born, each
neonate is encased in a
clear membrane attached
to a yolk sac. It breaks
through the membrane &
detaches itself from the
yolk sac. Unfertilized
eggs known as slugs can
be deposited along with
Neonates are on their own
from birth & days later go
through their first shed.
Some may be euthanized
due to birth defects such as
spinal kinks or misshapen
heads. From then they are
able to feed on their own.
G
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This X-ray shows she has
numerous tiny sacs inside her
which contain neonates and
since she is viviparous she will
have a live birth and deliver
them all at once.
Poster by: Irene Mikelson
Photos by: Jacob Kiesel
X-Rays courtesy of NEVC