Immaculate conception?

Ann, the unique anaconda, had a fascinating history. Before arriving at the New England Aquarium, she lived with a group that was careful to prevent her from encountering male snakes and having surprise babies. Yet, at the aquarium, they kept male and female snakes apart in separate tanks to avoid any unintended mixing. The mystery of how Ann had babies remains unsolved!

Three brave survivors

Life is full of surprises, and Ann’s story is a true wonder. She unexpectedly became a mom to some baby anacondas, which was amazing. Sadly, many of the tiny snakes didn’t survive for long. But even in this sad situation, the careful staff found three strong baby snakes that made it.

How did this happen?

Despite the staff’s expertise, they couldn’t fathom what occurred. The burning question on everyone’s mind was, had a male anaconda found a way to secretly meet Ann under the moonlight? This unexpected birth sparked curiosity and raised puzzling possibilities – had they overlooked a hidden male snake, or was something enigmatic at play? It was a genuine enigma!

Totally baffled

Eager to unravel the puzzle, the team initiated their investigation. They employed scientific methods by sending baby snake samples to a proficient lab specializing in genes and DNA research. After weeks of anticipation, the lab results arrived, evoking a collective “Wow!” moment of astonishment for the entire team.

Ann’s clones

The results were mind-blowing. The baby snakes were identical to Ann, like her twins, but upon close inspection, they were 100% identical to her. No dad snake was involved; it seemed Ann had magically created replicas of herself!

Bizarre phenomenon

To those unfamiliar, it might seem like a tale from an exciting science fiction book. Here’s what occurred: Ann did something truly remarkable. She didn’t rely on a male snake to have babies. Instead, she used her own genes, crafting her babies’ image without needing anything from a dad snake. This illustrates the astonishing and enigmatic realm of animals.