Pythons only incubate if the temperature is 82 degrees or lower, otherwise they will be stillborn or deformed. The snake hug may be a way to ensure the babies stay warm enough to develop properly.

The Saint Louis Zoo had an end-of-summer surprise when a 62-year-old ball python laid seven eggs July 23. Even more amazing is that zookeepers say this happened without a male snake being involved.

At day 9 of incubation, one ball python egg shows promise while the rest of the clutch struggles. Follow the careful monitoring and hopes for a successful hatch.

Experts at the St. Louis Zoo are trying to figure out how a 62-year-old ball python laid seven eggs despite not being near a male python for at least two decades.