For the first time in more than 20 years, the Cuban slender boas (Chilabothrus angulifer) at Chemnitz Zoo have given birth again. The four young were born in November - a significant breeding success for the zoo.
Slender boas are ovoviviparous, i.e. live-bearing. The young animals develop in their mother's body to such an extent that they do not need to be hatched. During the gestation period, which lasts around five to seven months, the embryos feed on the yolk contained in the egg - independently of the mother's organism. Two to six young are usually born per litter.
The Cuban slender boa is the largest of all slender boas. It usually reaches a length of 2.50 to 3.60 metres, in exceptional cases even up to 4.50 metres. Females are significantly larger than males. In their natural habitat - Cuba and the offshore islands and archipelagos - they live in different habitats and hunt on the ground as well as in trees and shrubs.
The current offspring are a special zoological rarity. In order to guarantee the young animals the best possible conditions for development and the greatest possible peace and quiet, they are currently being looked after behind the scenes and are not (yet) visible to visitors.
The parent animals, on the other hand, can be admired in the zoo's tropical house and give visitors an impressive insight into the fascinating world of this impressive snake species.
The zoo is involved in the conservation breeding programme for this species and, with the current offspring, is making an important contribution to the conservation and better understanding of the Cuban slender boa.
Opening hours in winter:
daily: 9 am to 4 pm
Last admission and closing time one hour before the zoo closes.
www.tierpark-chemnitz.de
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