Day 64 and no pips :-(

I used a damp paper towel (used distilled water) folded in half and gently draped over the top of the eggs to keep them moist after I cut. Not dripping damp, wetted and then wrung out damp, it worked nicely.

I noticed with mine (was my first clutch this year, so am far from expert) that when I checked and the veins were looking brown (I assume it's because they're no longer supplying the baby and clotting up) that I'd find that baby out of the egg on it's own roughly 12 hours later.

Looks like everything is fine! Try not to worry!

Clearly I am on the no cutting side :P Just wondering, what would change if you cut the egg and found a severely deformed baby? Either way the baby is not likely going to make it. Either it passes in the egg or you have to personally cull it.

For me personally, I'd rather let nature take its course :) Seeing those little faces pip on their own is a really great experience. I think people get really impatient with ball pythons either because they are scared the babies won't be able to get out on their own (trust me, if they are healthy they will get out just fine) or they want to see the morph of the animal.

Just wait it out next time!! We spend a lot of time growing up our animals, breeding and waiting for eggs to hatch... whats another few days?? :) :) Not trying to give you a hard time, just making an observation!

Good luck with your babies!! :D

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Looks like everything is fine! Try not to worry!

Clearly I am on the no cutting side :P Just wondering, what would change if you cut the egg and found a severely deformed baby? Either way the baby is not likely going to make it. Either it passes in the egg or you have to personally cull it.

For me personally, I'd rather let nature take its course :) Seeing those little faces pip on their own is a really great experience. I think people get really impatient with ball pythons either because they are scared the babies won't be able to get out on their own (trust me, if they are healthy they will get out just fine) or they want to see the morph of the animal.

Just wait it out next time!! We spend a lot of time growing up our animals, breeding and waiting for eggs to hatch... whats another few days?? :) :) Not trying to give you a hard time, just making an observation!

Good luck with your babies!! :D

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I am really on the cutting fence ;) I would prefer to see their little faces pop out on their own, but at the same time I start wondering if they are missing their egg tooth or something. Everything you said is 100% true, but I started to stress. I am hoping the others start showing their pretty little faces on their own soon. But dang! They are being so stubborn!

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Originally Posted by Snake Den

I am really on the cutting fence ;) I would prefer to see their little faces pop out on their own, but at the same time I start wondering if they are missing their egg tooth or something. Everything you said is 100% true, but I started to stress. I am hoping the others start showing their pretty little faces on their own soon. But dang! They are being so stubborn!

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I swear they do it on purpose. They know we are watching!!

I think a missing egg tooth is extremely rare. I don't even think I've heard of that happening for real.. I don't doubt its possible, but its not my first concern.

I just hit day 55 for my second clutch of the season. Its going to be a long wait especially since I was having some issues with my electricity during early incubation, causing my temps to temporarily fall to about 80º. Grr!! The eggs look good though. Everyone is squirming and the eggs are dimpling nicely.

Good luck!!! They will be out before you know it! :gj:

Be sure to keep an eye on that one you cut. If you start to see it drying out or if you see any brown gunk in it, then be sure to add some more fluid back in. For the brown gunk, make sure you rinse it out. Also, if you do add fluid or flush, be sure to leave the bottle in the incubator for a while first so that the fresh fluid is the same temperature as the incubator. You can use saline or clean bottled water. I use the bottles that I keep in the incubator to maintain stability in temperatures. Good luck! They should be pipping soon.

Relax, your fine. All should be fine. We cut our eggs on day 55 and never add fluid. BP eggs are very resilient and can take a lot. One year our power went out for several hours and our temps dropped to 70 degrees for 4 or 5 hours. NO issues at all with a 100% hatch rate. Your eggs look fine and your pic of the pipped egg looks just fine as well. It looks quite normal and healthy. Good luck and hang in there!

Just an update. It is day 66. The one egg I cut is still looking good. The little guy has been moving around and changing positions, but I still haven't seen its head. I am pretty sure my snakes are doing this to me on purpose. They know I am a first time mom and they are testing my patience! I have this weird feeling they are going to wait until day 73 to pip. I have no idea why that day comes to mind, it is just a feeling I have... I guess I will just have to wait and see!

Day 67 and I finally see a head. I have to admit I may have been poking the baby a little bit in the open egg last night. I poked it and it didn't move, so I thought it might be dead. Turns out it was just doing its best rock impression. Anyway, this morning I saw a little nose, and when I came home for lunch, his whole position had changed and I can see the entire head :D None of the other eggs have pipped on their own yet. I guess I will just keep waiting. I was thinking that if this guy decides to start exploring before the other eggs pip, I will cut all the eggs. Thoughts? Anyway, exciting!

Good sign!! I think if that one crawls out and none other have then a tiny snip in each egg won't hurt...maybe is will encourage them to hurry up when they see their sibling already out and about ;)

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Good news! I just came home from school to find my first natural pipper!!! I caught him right in the beginning, so just his nose is sticking out. I checked them at lunch and there was nothing. Three hours later and FINALLY someone is giving me a look at them! I wish they didn't wait until day 67 on my first ever clutch!!!

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...psdbb2aaf2.jpg
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps597d95b7.jpg