Two young snakes of the endangered species Santa Catalina have been born at Universeum in Gothenburg. It is a species of snake without a rattle.
It's fantastic. We are the only ones in Europe to have this species. It's an acutely endangered species, says Daniel Roth, zoologist at Universeum in Gothenburg.
It is the first time in Europe that Santa Catalina has given birth in a zoo. In the wild, there are only a few hundred individuals of the species left.
After six months of pregnancy, the two young snakes were born during the night of June 29.
If the young snakes are females, they will stay at Universeum for further breeding. If they are males, they will be moved to other zoos. There are several parks waiting to receive new individuals.
The young snakes are being taken care of behind the scenes and will be visible to visitors only when they have grown up.
Santa Catalina is a snake without a rattle. The species is found only on the island of Santa Catalina in the Gulf of California. The species is nocturnal and gives birth to live young.
Length: Up to 70 centimeters
Venom: Hemotoxins that prevent blood from coagulating. The snake's teeth are located far forward in the upper jaw and are movable to inject large amounts of venom quickly.
Diet: Mainly deer mice, but also other rats and mice.
Status: Acutely endangered (CR).
