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mating venomous and non venomous ?
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by knutter1 on May 10, 2002
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I live in a heavily wooded area of n.c. where several species live. I am aware of a timber rattler nest on my property, also many black snakes live in the area. I have migrating copperheads in the spring. I understand that the rattlers and black snakes coexsist in the same nest can the copperheads also live with them and can they mate? I have found black snakes with a slight pattern and triangular shaped head with what appears to be elliptical shaped eyes.
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RE: mating venomous and non venomous ?
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by Naja_oxiana on May 10, 2002
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Yes, Rattlesnake, Blacksnakes and Copperheads can all live in the same immediate area. Their successfully interbreeding is a physiological impossibility. They are too far apart genetically. Timber Rattlesnakes are Crotalus horridus and genetically distinct from the non-venomous Blacksnake Elaph obseleta ssp, which is an entirely different family. They're snakes, but that's about as much as they have in common. You would have better luck interbreeding with a chimp.
Copperheads Agkistrodon contortrix is in much the same boat. Though a Crotalid--pit viper--Agistrodon is too far apart from any Crotalus--rattler--to successfully interbreed.
Another thing to remember is that even in snakes that may be genetically close enough to interbreed, there may be a physical barrier. The hemipenes have a seminal canal, which must match up with the female's vaginal canals for the male's semen to take the right path for impregnation to occur.
It may be impossible, but hey....they can try all they like;-D
Cheers
Roger
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