A recent video of a snake giving birth to live young has gone viral, baffling viewers who thought all snakes laid eggs.
The video, which was posted to Facebook by the National Reptile Conservation Center, shows a large sand boa snake giving birth to six live young. The newborns are fully formed, with open eyes and mouths.
The video has been viewed over 9 million times and has generated thousands of comments. Many viewers were surprised to learn that some snakes give birth to live young.
“Wait, I thought all snakes laid eggs,” wrote Gina Kircher.
“I thought all reptiles laid eggs,” wrote Joan Lumealo. “I guess that’s what I learned in school.”
According to National Geographic, about 70% of snakes in the world lay eggs. These snakes typically live in warm climates. Snakes that give birth to live young, called viviparous snakes, typically live in cooler climates.
