How does the reproductive strategy of pythons fundamentally differ from that of their close relatives, the boas?
Answer
Pythons are oviparous, meaning they reproduce by laying eggs.
A significant divergence in reproductive biology separates pythons from boas. Pythons are defined as oviparous, which mandates that the female reproduces by laying eggs. This reproductive mode often requires the female python to remain in close physical proximity to her clutch to manage incubation. Boas, conversely, belong to a group that typically exhibits viviparity, giving birth to live young. This difference in reproductive strategy has associated physical implications, such as the requirement for incubation proximity in pythons, a need that is absent in boas that bear live offspring.
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