Scientists breed rare rattlesnake for first time, six babies born to aid recovery

The Los Angeles Zoo has announced the first litters born under Project Obscurus, an international recovery programme for the New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake. According to the Los Angeles Zoo's press release on 1 September 2026, a litter of five was born on 18 August and a single neonate on 28 August, making six neonates. The species is classified as Threatened by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and is widely considered the rarest rattlesnake in the United States. The zoo says the young snakes will be candidates for release in Arizona or New Mexico to bolster genetic diversity in struggling wild populations.How were six New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake babies bornAccording to the LA Zoo, one litter of five neonates was born on 18 August, and a single neonate was born separately on 28 August. The zoo says these are the first-ever litters born as part of the breeding efforts for Project Obscurus. It is the first of the Project Obscurus partners to successfully breed this federally threatened species, and it expects other partners to follow.The release quotes Byron Wusstig, Curator of Ectotherms at the Los Angeles Zoo. According to Wusstig, the success reflects the animal care te...