A lizard at a UK zoo has given delivery with out mating in what has been described as “one of the rarest events in the animal kingdom”.
A feminine casque-headed iguana produced eight wholesome hatchlings at Unique Zoo in Telford, Shropshire, with out ever being housed with a male.
The infants are receiving “round-the-clock care” and are anticipated to go on public show within the coming weeks.
The “virgin births” had been attributable to parthenogenesis, when an embryo develops from an unfertilised egg – a course of which the zoo stated had been documented in “only a handful of reptile species worldwide”.
The offspring are similar genetic clones of their mom.
Picture:
The second one of many eggs hatched. Pic: Unique Zoo
He added: “It’s been a cool experience for us. This is like nature doing it for itself.
“This is likely one of the rarest occasions within the animal kingdom.
“After we confirmed the eggs had been fertile with none contact with a male, our jaws hit the ground.
“These babies are essentially mini-mum clones, and seeing them thrive is incredible.
“For us, it is a highly effective reminder that life finds a approach in probably the most surprising circumstances.
“They have produced babies without males, so it’s self-conservation.”
Mr Adams stated workers first “noticed something happening” when the lizard acquired larger.
“The babies will receive round-the-clock care, but they will eventually go off to other zoos,” he added.
Casque-headed iguanas are native to Central and South America and are going through various threats within the wild, the zoo stated.
These embrace habitat loss and unlawful poaching for the pet commerce.
“This story gives us an amazing opportunity to talk with our visitors about genetics, evolution, and the challenges that reptiles face in the wild,” stated Mr Adams.
