Crocodile makes herself pregnant. See how is it possible

In an apparently bizarre-looking case, a female crocodile in a Costa Rica Zoo made herself pregnant.

The 18-year crocodile laid eggs in January 2018 in Parque Reptalina, though she was kept in isolation, entirely away from other crocodiles for her entire life.

A team of experts from Virginia Polytechnique in the US confirmed that the egg was 99.9 percent identical to its mother, meaning it had no father.


This phenomenon is called ‘virgin birth’ and it is found in certain species of fish, birds and reptiles. But such a phenomenon in crocodiles was never reported before.

This is called ‘virgin birth’ or parthenogenesis in the language of science.

In an article published in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters, the researchers claimed that parthenogenesis might have been more common among crocodiles but have gone unnoticed for some reasons.

The BBC has quoted the scientists saying in the research paper, "It is not uncommon for captive reptiles to lay clutches of eggs, given the period of isolation from mates, these would normally be considered non-viable and discarded. These findings, therefore, suggest that eggs should be assessed for potential viability when males are absent."

Scientists have also said that parthenogenesis occurs in species when their numbers dwindle, and they are on the verge of extinction.

Though it is not the case with crocodiles, it has shocked scientists, particularly those working in the field of parthenogenesis.

FAQs:

Where did a female crocodile make herself pregnant?
In Parque Reptalina Zoo in Costa Rica.

What is ‘virgin birth’ or parthenogenesis?
Virgin birth or parthenogenesis is the process of reproduction where the male partner is not involved.