Snakes, facts and information

Elderly Ball Python Lays Eggs 'without Male Help'

The female ball python is thought to the oldest snake living in a zoo

A snake laying eggs might not seem to be the most unusual thing to happen.

But keepers at the Saint Louis Zoo in Missouri were surprised to discover that one of their ball pythons had produced seven eggs - despite having no contact with a male for over 15 years.

While some reptiles are known to reproduce asexually, keepers are also surprised by the mother's age.

At an estimated 62 years old, the ball python is believed to be the oldest living snake.

Mark Wanner, the zoological manager of herpetology at the zoo described the birth as a "unique occurrence".

"It's amazing, in my opinion, that a snake of this age is able to reproduce a fertile clutch of eggs," he told the BBC.

The snake was given to the zoo by a private donor in 1961 and was estimated to be three years old at the time, according to Mr Wanner.

The oldest documented ball python to date was a male at Philadelphia Zoo who died at the age of 47.

Mr Wanner added that the zoo planned to publish information about the snake's age and asexual reproduction, if and when it is confirmed by testing.

Three eggs have survived and remain in an incubator. They are expected to hatch within a month.

The eggs will remain in an incubator

The zoo is using genetic testing to determine whether the eggs were produced asexually, which has previously been recorded in reptiles including ball pythons, rattle snakes and komodo dragons.

There have been previous cases of snakes storing sperm for delayed fertilisation.

Ball pythons, or royal pythons as they are also known, are native to central and western Africa.

Watch the moment an Australian news report is interrupted by a snake biting the microphone

Reporting by the BBC's Victoria Bisset

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Melissa King began writing in 2001. She spent three years writing for her local newspaper, "The Colt," writing editorials, news stories, product reviews and entertainment pieces. She is also the owner and operator of Howbert Freelance Writing. King holds an Associate of Arts in communications from Tarrant County College.

Nell Nolan: Proteus Ball, Mystic Club Ball

Protean Pomp

In 1881, a new krewe added to the burgeoning Carnival constellation. It drew its name from the mythological sea deity, Proteus, who had the power of changing, often his shape. And so it was for the first outing, in 1882, when he "assumed the character of an ancient Egyptian god to lead his merry masqueraders on sparkling floats." For the most recent incarnation, the play was the thing. "Commedia dell'Arte" themed the parade, the oldest nighttime one, that preceded the beautiful tableau ball.

The location for the Lundi Gras celebration was the Marriott Hotel, where "delicacies of the deep by his royal chefs" awaited the guests before the ball. Afterward, jubilation unfolded at the Queen's Supper with passed and displayed fare capped by house-made beignets. Fly By Radio was the band.

Joining Proteus in his mortal form on the throne was her majesty, who was escorted by the krewe's 11th captain. Reigning was Miss Emily Baldwin Johnson, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Lawrence Noel Johnson Jr. The honor was held last year by Miss Elizabeth Anne Charbonnet and, 50 years ago, by Mrs. Gary Hyder Brewster, who wore the crown as Miss Catherine Black Rainold. Both former queens were recognized. Mr. Brewster was the general chairman of the ball.

All applauded queen Emily, who was gowned in a creation by Royal Design House. It featured a base of shimmering silver silk lame and an embroidered lace overlay. Evocative of Proteus's watery domain, the beaded, pearly white lace featured an all-over scalloped, shell-like motif.

Royal mother Maria Barkerding Johnson chose the same design house for her scarlet damask gown with large fuchsia and metallic indigo florals. She was joined in prominent seating by Mmes. Elizabeth B. Barkerding, Lawrence Noel Johnson, Clark P. Fitz-Hugh, Kimberlin P. Butcher, J. Storey Charbonnet, James J. Reiss III, E. James Kock III, R. Parker LeCorgne, Wallace E. Schaefer III, Matthew P. LeCorgne, Patrick S. Beahm, Gary H. Brewster Jr., William C. Gambel Jr., William J. Goliwas Jr., Thomas E. Beron, St. Denis J. Villere III, Devereux P. Moring and Devereux P. Moring Jr. Also, Ms. Laura L. LeCorgne and Misses Annie Worthington and Miriam P. Brewster.

All eyes befell the attractiveness of the court maids, Misses Sophie Wilson Brewer, Adair Guion Cook (the Mithras queen), Caroline Whittington Casey, Kathleen Pierce Gibbons (the Momus queen), Elizabeth Brent Montgomery (queen of Carnival, Rex), Melita Bragg Nelson, Marguerite Conery Schmidt (queen of Oberon), Grace Marie Waguespack, Rebecca Patout Walk (queen of Twelfth Night) and Charlotte Conway Williams. Masters James Bush LeBourgeois and Robert Sanders Stone Jr., the pages, rode in the parade on the Proteus CXLIII float.

Among those applauding the court, and the music of the Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra, were Mmes. Louis M. Freeman Jr., Peter L. Freeman, Michael J. Bell, Joseph S. Mann Jr., Bruce H. Thompson, Jefferson G. Parker, Alfred W. Brown III, William H. Hines, Cyril P. Geary III, William L. Treadway III, Robert J. Stumm Jr., Thomas D. Westfeldt II, John D. Mills, David G. Bailey, Jeffery S. Geary, Charles W. Schmidt, Harry Merritt Lane III, Robert H. Saer, David Carten Loker Gibbons Jr., Richard Bullard Montgomery IV, Michael L. LeBourgeois, Robert S. Stone, Langdon H. Stone Jr., George P. Eastman IV, James H. Kostmayer Jr., Martin D. Claiborne, Lawrence B. Barkerding, Theodore F. Barkerding III, Christopher B. Barkerding, Robert R. Barkerding III, Matthew L. Stedman, Mark D. Talbot, Gerald C. Johnson, William D. Sumrall III, Joseph A. Childress Jr. And John D. Charbonnet Jr. They were delighted recipients of the colorful, fold-out ball invitation that stated the theme and depicted some of the favorite stock characters.

Post-pageantry, on to the supper it was for the revelers, who made dance-floor moves on the canvassed floor with "Queen Emily initials." For decades to come, the thrills of this special evening will be spelled out for her majesty, who expressed universal gratitude for her monarchal honor and the fun she had experiencing it with Carnival kin and kith. And somewhere, Commedia dell'Arte favorites Pierrot and Arlecchino (Harlequin) gave a loving wink.

Mystic Merriment

An aqueous scene graced the Mystic Club ball program by artist Patricia Hardin that recalled a civilization reaching back more than 3,000 years. It was a history of rulers, priests and peoples worshiping a pantheon of deities. Hailed as a majestic female ruler from ancient history at the club's annual ball in the Hilton New Orleans Riverside was the Mystic queen, Mrs. Harry Merritt Lane III, Eleanor "Elly" Kohlmeyer Lane.

The king, in the role and guise of a pharaoh, did not know the ruler portrayed by the queen, for he reigned many centuries before her time. Portraying goddesses were the ladies-in-waiting to her majesty: Mmes. Horace Mark Adams, Nephthys; James Allen Heurtin, Neith; Peter Charles November, Maat; and Robert Scott Ukrop, Tefnut. Their escorts portrayed the gods Horus, Khonsu, Nefertem and Anubis, embalmer and guide to Duat, the underworld.

In her role as the ancient female leader, Mrs. Lane wore a slim-cut 1920's Art Deco gown in interpretation of the time of her reign. The garment was of rich gold chiffon over turquoise and complemented by a necklace of beads. As were the ladies-in-waiting, she was coiffed according to the time period; a golden headband added a decorative touch. Her major accessory was a long-handled golden fan topped by turquoise plumes.

Likewise, the ladies-in-waiting were outfitted in 1920s Art Deco interpretations of ancient garb. Libby Adams appeared in a gown of sparkling lapis-colored chiffon; Stephanie November wore a mode of turquoise blue and gold chiffon; Molly Heurtin turned out in a cherry red and gold chiffon gown; and Lilo Ukrop processed in a white design highlighted by a tunic of metallic fabric. Their husbands were garbed as representative deities.

Others catching the Mystic eye were the king, who was outfitted with an ivory tunic, a tabard, a cape, a double crown and a heka, or crook, symbolizing his role as shepherd to his people; the captain in pharaonic garb and his two aides in red tunics with bronze belts; and the lieutenants, in 1920s "bespoke full-dress," top hats and opera scarves with period motifs.

White gowns were worn by the young ladies who were presented to their majesties. They were Misses Adair Cook Guion, Frances Villere Currence, Molly Gahagan Heurtin (daughter of the above Mrs. Heurtin), Emily Baldwin Johnson, Elizabeth Brent Montgomery, Lucy Elaine Normann, Marguerite Conery Schmidt, Katherine Corinna Slavin Sweeney, Rebecca Patout Walk and Helen Elizabeth Wisdom. Seven reigned as Carnival queens.

For the Grand March, "Marche Noble" by Christian Bach was played by the Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra. The musical arrangements for the 10 pieces were by Robert Maxwell.

Prandial pleasures then awaited, thanks to the select menu of Caprese salad, seared redfish and s'mores cake and Chantilly layer cake. White and red wines complemented the courses.

The delights of the dance floor beckoned and countless pairs heeded the call, all the while stopping to pay their compliments and respects to the royalty of yore.

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