Coverage dated June 6, 2023 to June 7, 2023

A virgin crocodile made herself pregnant in a first for her species, researchers say

Headline from CBS News

DNA analysis determined that the crocodile's nonviable fetus was 99.9% genetically identical to its mother.

CBS News's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Reports & sources

13 articles, oldest first.

  1. Science Alert

    'Virgin Birth' Ability Discovered in Crocodiles For The First Time Ever (opens Science Alert)

    Published

    Science Alert's feed description

    For the first time, scientists have found evidence that female crocodiles can lay eggs without mating, using a strange reproductive strategy that may have its evolutionary roots in the age of the dinosaurs.

  2. Insider

    A crocodile makes history with the first-ever virgin birth of its species, researchers say. But none of the 14 eggs hatched much to scientists' disappointment. (opens Insider)

    Published

    Insider's feed description

    Researchers said the 18-year-old crocodile lived alone in an exhibit at Parque Reptilandia in Costa Rica when it laid 14 eggs.

  3. Phys

    A documented case of a crocodile virgin birth (opens Phys)

    Published

    Phys's feed description

    A team of entomologists and reptile specialists from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the Chiricahua Desert Museum, the Illinois Natural History Survey, Reptilandia Reptile Lagoon and Parque Reptilandia has documented a case of a virgin crocodile laying viable eggs.

  4. The Guardian

    Scientists record first known ‘virgin birth’ in female crocodile in Costa Rica (opens The Guardian)

    Published

    The Guardian's feed description

    Reptile had been in captivity for 16 years when zookeepers discovered eggs, journal reports

  5. The Daily Caller

    First-Ever ‘Virgin Birth’ Recorded In Crocodile Species (opens The Daily Caller)

    Published

    The Daily Caller's feed description

    The crocodile has been held alone in Costa Rica's Parque Reptilandia since 2002

  6. Newsweek

    Crocodile virgin birth discovery suggests dinosaurs could do the same (opens Newsweek)

    Published

    Newsweek's feed description

    Researchers documented a virgin birth in an American crocodile—the first time this unusual mode of reproduction has been seen in crocodilians.

  7. ZME Science

    Crocodile in Costa Rica gives virgin birth. Could some dinosaurs do it too? (opens ZME Science)

    Published

    ZME Science's feed description

    It’s the first known case of "virgin birth" in a crocodilian.

  8. CBS News

    A virgin crocodile made herself pregnant in a first for her species, researchers say (opens CBS News)

    Published

    CBS News's feed description

    DNA analysis determined that the crocodile's nonviable fetus was 99.9% genetically identical to its mother.

  9. Al Jazeera

    First ‘virgin birth’ in crocodile found in Costa Rica (opens Al Jazeera)

    Published

    Al Jazeera's feed description

    Female crocodile lived in isolation for some 16 years at Costa Rica zoo before producing egg with fully-formed fetus.

  10. Fox News

    First 'virgin birth' found in American crocodile as reptile spends 16 years in isolation (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    The first-ever recorded documentation of a crocodile's "virgin birth" has been released in a recent study after an isolated crocodile in Costa Rica laid 14 eggs.

  11. The Conversation US

    Crocodile's 'virgin birth' is a first for science's history books (opens The Conversation US)

    Published

    The Conversation US's feed description

    Virgin motherhood is no myth – sharks, birds and lizards can hatch from unfertilised eggs.

  12. Fox News

    Crocodile had 'virgin birth' at Costa Rica zoo, researchers say (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    A female crocodile appeared to have a "virgin birth" at a zoo in Costa Rica after researchers discovered a stillborn baby crocodile with no paternal DNA.

  13. Latin Times

    Extraordinary Discovery: Crocodile Found To Have Made Herself Pregnant (opens Latin Times)

    Published

    Latin Times's feed description

    Although "virgin birth" has been noticed in several bird, fish, and reptile species, it has never been recorded in crocodiles.

A virgin crocodile made herself pregnant in a first for her species, researchers say | Since Then