Recently, we embarked on a fascinating journey across the United States, starting with our participation at the American Dairy Goat Association National Show in Louisville. Following the show, we made our way back to our US base in Cleveland, taking a memorable detour to Huntsville, Ohio.

During this detour, we had the privilege of meeting Doug Wynn, a globally respected herpetologist who has dedicated nearly 50 years to studying endangered snake species. Doug is one of the authors of Reptiles of Ohio and Amphibians of Ohio and is deeply involved in the conservation of endangered Ohio snake species. To aid his vital work, Doug invested in our KX5600v ultrasound machine, a tool he uses to scan snakes in the field—specifically to check female snakes for pregnancy.

Doug’s focus lies on three species: Timber Rattlesnakes, Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes, and Plains Garter Snakes. These species are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. This unique reproductive process makes their ultrasound scans more comparable to early pregnancy scans in small mammals, such as dogs or cats, rather than egg-laying species like corn snakes or pythons.

What We Discovered

When scanning these snakes, we observed that each unborn snake is curled within its own individual sac, making it relatively easy to count the number of embryos. The only challenge came when scanning a snake carrying an unusually high number of young—27 in total! In this case, some of the embryos overlapped slightly, requiring us to gently rock the ultrasound probe to bring them into view for accurate counting.

We also found that scanning the snakes from the side, rather than underneath, produced much clearer images. We used both the KX5600v and the Apogee 1000 Lite ultrasound machines for comparison. While the KX5600v is excellent for identifying pregnancies, the Apogee 1000 Lite, which we customised for reptile scanning, revealed additional detail. This higher-resolution machine allowed us to observe finer details and apply that knowledge when using the KX5600v. We even scanned an Eastern Mississauga Rattlesnake in the final days of her pregnancy, using color Doppler to visualise the heartbeats of the embryos. By measuring the blood flow and heart rates of the unborn snakes, we gained a fascinating insight into their development.

What We Learned

Scanning snakes for eggs is a relatively simple process that doesn’t require ultra-high resolution. The KX5600v is more than sufficient for identifying eggs, as we are looking for a reflective white line marking the egg’s surface. Beneath this, the ultrasound image appears black, as the energy is unable to penetrate mature eggs. This clarity makes the KX5600v a go-to tool for snake and reptile ultrasound scanning.

However, when it comes to scanning snake embryos, the difference in image quality between scanners becomes more pronounced. While the KX5600v reliably confirms pregnancies, the Apogee 1000 Lite provides unparalleled detail, allowing us to observe the heartbeats and blood flow within the embryos—an awe-inspiring glimpse into the lives of these young snakes before birth.

Doug emphasised that there is still much to learn about these incredible creatures. Only recently have researchers observed parental behavior in ovoviviparous snakes. With advanced ultrasound technology customised for reptile scanning, we now have the ability to study these animals in remarkable detail. We look forward to seeing what new discoveries Doug and his team will make in the years to come.

If you’re interested in a reptile-optimised version of the KX5600v or the Apogee 1000 Lite for scanning snakes and reptiles, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re more than happy to help you find the perfect scanner for your needs.