‘Male’ Brazilian rainbow boa produces 14 baby snakes in ‘miracle birth’

Misidentified reptile Ronaldo had not been in contact with any other snakes for at least nine years

The appearance of 14 baby snakes in a vivarium occupied by a Brazilian rainbow boa snake called Ronaldo was surprising on two counts.

First, staff at the City of Portsmouth college had thought Ronaldo was a male; second the 1.8-metre (6ft) long reptile had not been in contact with any other snakes for at least nine years.