Question

Which of the following reptiles give birth to live young?

• A. Slowworms
• B. Pythons
• C. Sea snakes
• D. Both (a) & (c)

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Both (a) & (c)

Being a legless lizard, the slow worm (Anguis fragilis) is often mistaken for a snake. However, there are certain features that separate the slow worm from snakes, including the presence of eyelids and ear openings. The male and female differ in appearance; the female is usually brown, copper-coloured or red on the back, with brown or black sides, often with lighter iridescent. Depending on the local climate, the female slow worm will mate annually or once every two years. The slow worm is ovoviviparous, and instead of laying eggs, the female gives birth to an average of eight live young between mid-August and mid-September.

Sea snakes are air-breathing cold-blooded reptiles. Like all snakes they have forked tongues and body scales and they regularly shed their skins. They are found primarily in warm tropical waters of the Pacific. The area of highest species diversity is Indonesia and northwest Australia. Most sea snakes give birth after gestation periods that range from four to eleven months, depending on the species. Most species reproduce every year. The timing of the reproductive cycle varies between species and also differs between geographical locations for the same species. Young are born underwater and must be independent immediately to swim to the surface to breathe. There is no parental care.

So the correct option is 'both (a) and (c).