Snake reproduction has not been studied as extensively as that of other animals. They exhibit some unique mating behaviors, but can they get pregnant on their own?

Some snakes can get pregnant on their own through parthenogenesis. However, this is a rare occurrence and usually happens when a female is unable to mate. Most snakes can’t reproduce asexually.

If you’ve seen a ball python have babies without it ever being exposed to males, now you know why. Let’s delve deeper into one of snakes’ most amazing abilities.

Can Snakes Reproduce Alone? 

Some snakes can reproduce alone, but it’s pretty rare.

Snakes reproduce in one of two ways: with a partner or asexually through parthenogenesis. With only one exception, snakes prefer to reproduce sexually. Some species will resort to asexual reproduction when they’re unable to mate.

Can Female Pythons Reproduce By Themselves?

Female ball pythons can reproduce by themselves via parthenogenesis in very rare cases. It is more likely that a female ball python that has not mated recently held sperm from a previous mating.

It’s more common for snakes to reproduce by parthenogenesis when they live in captivity.

Can Snakes Have Babies Without Mating?

Some snakes can have babies without mating by reproducing asexually. In this instance, females create a clone of themselves via cell division of their own eggs.

Below is a list of snakes that have been known to reproduce asexually. 

• Pit Viper
• Copperhead
• Some Boa Constrictors species
• Water Snakes
• Cottonmouths
• Brahminy Blind Snake

Over 3,000 species of snakes exist in the world. Among them, the Brahminy blind snakes are a special case. They are the only species of snakes that must reproduce asexually.

Female snakes of other species tend to reproduce asexually only when they have been unable to mate with a male snake.

Delayed Reproduction

Some snakes have another unique mating behavior. If a female mates with multiple males, she can prevent herself from reproducing immediately after. Instead, she will sort and hold sperm.

Later, she can determine which male she will mate with. Female snakes have been known to delay reproduction for as long as seven years.

Other Useful Mating Information

Only a small group of snakes can reproduce without mating, and even for them it’s more common to mate.

When mating, most snakes will exhibit at least one mating behavior. Some observed mating behaviors are:

• Mating ball. Some snakes will form a mating ball. A mating ball is when several male snakes swarm over one female snake. It is suggested that mating balls occur primarily in environments with a shorter period of warm weather. 
• Pheromone scent. Sometimes, male snakes will find a female snake by tracing her pheromone scent. A pheromone scent is a distinctive scent that female snakes leave when she is ready to breed.
• Tongue flicking. Although snakes generally use their tongues for smelling, before mating, snakes have been observed to flick tongues, perhaps as tactile stimulation. 
• Non-violent combat. Male snakes may engage in combat to win the opportunity to mate with a female snake. Some species, like rat snakes and vipers, will stand in an upright, vertical position during the challenge.
• Chin rubbing. Males snakes may try to win over a female snake by rubbing their chin on her body.

When Is Snake Mating Season?

Snakes mate primarily after brumation, in the spring or as late as the summer months. Because snakes are cold-blooded, snake offspring have the best chance of survival during the warmest months. 

There is one caveat to the typical mating season. Snakes that live in tropical conditions are not restricted to mating in spring and summer only. They can breed year-round. 

Do Snakes Lay Eggs or Live Birth?

About 70% of snakes lay eggs. A female snake can lay up to 100 eggs at a time. The average, however, is 30 eggs. Some of the eggs are fertilized, while others aren’t. Only the fertilized eggs will hatch into baby snakes. The temperature of the nest will also dictate how many eggs will hatch.

The majority of snakes that lay eggs do not remain with their eggs afterward. Female snakes leave the baby snakes to fend for themselves. Instinctually, baby snakes can survive on their own after hatching.

Only the African rock python remains with their babies after hatching, but only for a short period, about two weeks. The females protect the nest from any harm. 

The remaining 30% of snakes give birth to live babies. There are more differences within snakes that birth to live babies. Some snakes develop eggs that hatch inside the female. In other snakes, no eggshells ever form. 

Both types of snakes share one commonality: they may eat their young. Female snakes that birth live babies may eat some of their live babies. Snakes that lay eggs may eat the eggs or later try to eat the newly hatched babies.

Conclusion

Snakes, unlike many other animals, reproduce in various and unique ways. Some snakes can reproduce without mating, but this is rare except for the Brahminy blind snake. Female snakes can choose to delay reproduction.

Most snakes lay eggs, but a much smaller percentage of snakes birth live babies.