Pipping ball python/ Umbilical Question - HELP!

[drukqsb]

It is our very first clutch of eggs ever, today they are 57 days old. One egg has pipped and the rest are cut. The one that has pipped is a beautiful little piebald, and he has been sticking his head out since last night - sometimes it comes out a bit more, but it always goes back. One thing that is different since yesterday is today his head is coming from under his umilibal chord - which previously we could not see at all. But now you can see that it goes right over top of him, I am not sure if he is wrapped up in there or what. Should I just leave it be?! Let it take it's course? Or should I be trying to find out if it is wrapped in the umbilical??!? I really don't want to harm the snake, as i said it is our first clutch ever, and it is a gorgeous little piebald! What steps should I take from here????

[Homegrownscales]

I personally would leave it unless he starts looking weak or Lethargic. Bothering him more could put him in a worse position. Just because he's gone under it doesn't mean it's tangled. Just try and let him be as much as possible. I've had babies take a few days to come out. Though once they start poking their heads out it usually takes about 24 hours for them to finish up and come out.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[Homegrownscales]

Oh and congrats on the pied!


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[drukqsb]

Thanks! He's a curious little guy with lots of energy so I am sure you're right. He does have a little silver/blue circle on one of his eyes........ is that just some kind of eye cap that will come off or maybe partially blind??

[Akira]

I've seen others post about that on the corn snake forums. It's believed to just be a calcium deposit and there's have always come off with the first shed. I wouldn't worry about it unless it's still there after the baby sheds

[Homegrownscales]

Yep I'd wait till after the shed to worry about that. Even still If it is a defect in the eye they can thrive without eyes much less just down one.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[drukqsb]

I hate being a newbie and having all of these questions! But... is it normal that every 20-30 seconds it looks like it is taking in a very large breath? I of course have no idea what the body motions are (if any) if it is just absorbing the rest of its yolk..... or if they are big breathes, and if so if that is normal? Thanks again for all the help! Everyone is new sometime!

[Homegrownscales]

Can you get a video? I've never seen babies take big gulps. I've seen them breathe hard when I'm around but no gulping. Is it more like gulping or the hey you're freaking me out deep breathing?


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[drukqsb]

uhmm i really don't know its body inflates and deflates, as if its taking a huge breathe. its mouth doesn't open or anything if that's what you mean by gulp. I can't take a video at the moment but could get my other half to when he's home. The little guy is still kind of active so I'm not going to worry for now!

[Homegrownscales]

Ohh ok no open mouth gulp. That what I thought you were taking about. The hard breathing is normal when you're standing over them. Just try and give him some space.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com