Virgin birth at North Ga. Zoo

CLEVELAND - A virgin birth has been reported at North Georgia Zoo in Cleveland.<br /> <br /> Zoo officials says an Anaconda, which had thought to be a male, gave birth recently through a form of reproduction in which embryos are able to develop without being fertilized, namely, asexually. <br /> <br /> The process is calle parthenogenesis, which has been noted as a form of asexual reproduction among Komodo dragons, sharks, and even some birds. Not just a<br /> product of captivity, this form of reproduction has been observed in wild snakes as well but researchers are still not sure what the causes are, zoo officials say.<br /> <br /> The mother has been at the zoo for about ten years.<br /> <br /> After some research, zoo officials say that until now there had apparently been only one other recorded virgin Anaconda birth which was at West Midlands Safari Park in London. This means that North Georgia Zoo is home to the only known USA virgin birth Anaconda.

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