14 DAY TRIAL // Staff at Phoenix Zoo in the United States are happy to announce that the facility is now home to nearly two dozen teeny tiny snakes that are best described as completely adorable.
The young reptiles, one of which is pictured above, arrived into this world earlier this month, on July 2. They were born to a female estimated to be about 4 years old, and vets say they are all in good health.
In fact, it appears that, just 48 hours after having been born, the 18 baby snakes were all observed hunting and feeding on live fish. What's more, it looks like the creatures had quite an appetite.
According to Zoo Borns, these young reptiles that now call Phoenix Zoo their home belong to a species known as the narrow-headed gartersnake, otherwise referred to as Thamnophis rufipunctatus.
Presently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature considers narrow-headed gartersnakes to be a threatened species. Hoping to save these reptiles from going extinct, conservationists are doing their best to breed them in captivity.
Thus, of the 18 baby snakes that now live at Phoenix Zoo, some will be released in the wild later this year, provided that they are strong and confident enough to look after themselves. Others will be entered into a breeding program.
Commenting on the birth of these little guys, conservationist Stuart Wells has said, “Our dedicated staff has worked tirelessly for many years to achieve this goal. We are proud of this accomplishment and pleased to contribute to the recovery of this species.”