Ball pythons are named for their defence strategy that involves rolling into a tight ball when threatened, with their head very much in the centre of the ball. Just how long most snakes can live in the wild is an unknown – 10 to 15 years maybe, depending on the species. Most wild animals – snakes included - just don’t live long at all: disease, predation, starvation all limit longevity. However, the remarkable thing about this particular elderly female snake is that she has recently laid 7 eggs. More remarkable still is the fact that she hasn’t been near a male snake for 15 years.

Has she stored sperm for 15 years or has she used parthenogenesis for this late show of fertility? Only time will tell as samples are being sent for genetic testing. If genetically identical to the female they are a result of parthenogenic reproduction, if non identical she did indeed store viable sperm for 15 years or sneaked to meet her squeeze!

Is it true baby snakes cannot control how much venom they inject?
Snakes of all ages control how much venom if any is injected during a bite. There are no studies I can find to suggest baby snakes are different to adults. What is absolutely certain is that a baby snake has a very small venom gland compared to an adult so the amount of venom available to inject is tiny compared to an adult. BUT absolutely baby venomous snakes can still be very dangerous.

Is it true that baby snake venom is stronger than in an adult?
Again, there is no science to suggest this is the case and no reason to think why it would be so. One venomous sea snake research paper I looked at showed remarkably little difference in venom between juvenile or adult. Snakes of all ages face many dangers, but venom evolved in snakes primarily to aid capture and immobilisation of prey and not as a means of defence. The composition of venom is very complex and can vary from species to species as well as according to what prey is targeted and venom may also vary from juvenile to adult.

Is it true baby snakes are more defensive and more likely to inject than an adult?
Once again there is no evidence to suggest this is the case. It would seem unlikely to me. Producing venom comes at a high (metabolic) cost for a snake, they do not waste it unnecessarily. Studies looking at Eastern brown snakes Pseudonaja textilis showed a remarkable reluctance to inject potentially lethal doses of venom even when severely agitated. Most bites fortunately for us humans are dry bites.

(one of each hook size, regular and medium)

Only $132 (usually $165).

large pythons and really big snakes.

Only $95

These lizards are omnivorous and will eat particularly the local soft vegetation including fruits and flowers. They will readily supplement the diet with insects, eggs and even small mammals and snakes.

After a gestation of around 5 months (140-154 days) up to 11 young are born alive.

Behaviourally king’s skinks like many reptiles are poorly studied – they have been seen to both fight with a tiger snake, defending their home range, but also fall prey to them. They are reported to have subsequent years of their own offspring living close to home – like a colony. Adults may stay together for many years as active couples.