RENEE MONTAGNE, host:
Good morning. I'm Renee Montagne.
The babies ringing in the New Year in Boston turned out to be snakes; 14 in all for proud anaconda momma Ashley of the New England Aquarium. All the little snake babies measured two feet at birth - tiny compared to their 16-foot-long mother. It's a rare birth. Scientists say it's difficult for anacondas to breed in captivity. Of course it might be difficult to tell whether an anaconda is pregnant or just had lunch.
It's MORNING EDITION.