TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Four rare Louisiana pine snakes have hatched at the Tulsa Zoo.
The zoo says seven eggs were laid on May 10. Of those, two were infertile, one died and the remaining four were artificially incubated. The first hatchling cut through its shell on July 8, while the three remaining broke out of their eggs by July 13.
Zoological curator Barry Downer says the pine snakes were originally found in nine Louisiana parishes and 14 Texas counties. But now they are only found in four Louisiana parishes and are believed to have completely vanished from Texas.
The Tulsa Zoo's breeding efforts are part of a program to manage threatened and endangered species.
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