North American pit vipers ...

... found to give birth without a mate - in the wild.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/19555550

'A form of virgin birth has been found in wild vertebrates for the first time.

Researchers in the US caught pregnant females from two snake species and genetically analysed the litters.

That proved the North American pit vipers reproduced without a male, a phenomenon called facultative parthenogenesis that has previously been found only in captive species.

Scientists say the findings could change our understanding of animal reproduction and vertebrate evolution. ...'

Your mandatory Sprout rant for the day.

What is it, exactly - other than a microphone and a pair of overindulgent parents - that qualifies Sid as the "science kid"? There's very little time devoted to discussing "science" in any way, shape, or form; and most of the information is just gotten from outside sources (mostly the computer) - in other words, authority.

[I should probably update my "anythingbutbarney" tag to read "anythingbutbarneyorsidthesciencekid" but that's kind of cumbersome.]

That musical interlude with Laurie (and her animated doppelganger) was nice, though. The chick's cute, and she's got a voice.