Re: Yellow Belly Freak.. graphic picture warning
I jsut stumbled across this thread, what ever happened to the snake, I hope you put it down because I myself wouldnt want to let it continue suffering. That is the craziest thing I have ever seen go wrong with snakes. Im terribly sorry about everything you went through during the season.
Re: Yellow Belly Freak.. graphic picture warning
With all the new people wanting to jump head first on the BP breeding bandwagon these days, this thread is great reference that things dont always turn out peachy, then one can ask, can I really deal with it when things go south?
Re: Yellow Belly Freak.. graphic picture warning
Yes, and I want to say, if you're breeding, this WILL happen, eventually. Probably more than once. Things don't always go right, and sometimes animals are born with deformities. Causes vary--genetics, developmental problems, etc.
Temperature accidents are the most common cause. I saw a corn snake hatchling that had its spine bent in half, and its body was grown together along the sides. One eye or no eyes also happens, and mouth deformities.
As careful as we are, an accident is called an accident for a reason--if something happens to a thermostat, or an air conditioning unit, while we are away...it only takes an hour or two at the wrong time in development to do things like this.
Humane euthanasia--either take to a vet, or (horrible, but humane) smash the head quickly. Freezing is not humane.
Because of the way the reptilian metabolism works, instant destruction of the brain, as thorough as possible, will result in the least amount of suffering.
Re: Yellow Belly Freak.. graphic picture warning
I think you need to assume you will get a deformed snake at some point. Part of the breeding process. Mother nature's way.
I do think it is very unfortuneate that you lost the two with the cords, especially since that is a luck of the draw situation. :(
I lost a snake my first season that same way as well. If you catch it early enough you can work with it, but not easily. (I popped mine out of the egg to fix it and she ended up with hardbelly afterwards and died regardless).
So sorry you have to deal with this, it sucks. :(
Bruce
Re: Yellow Belly Freak.. graphic picture warning
It is sad that the little YB turned out that way, but sometimes that happens, be it developmental or ambient issues.....I would be even more distraught about the umbilical cases :( What an unfortunate thing to happen to what would have been otherwise healthy and beautiful babies.
Sorry to hear of your losses. Congrats on your healthy babies!
Re: Yellow Belly Freak.. graphic picture warning
did you have a serious temp spike during part of the incubation period?
a bad deformity + 2 restless (tied themselves up) dead in the egg babies seems more than 'a bit of bad luck'
Re: Yellow Belly Freak.. graphic picture warning
Oh, the poor little turnip. And how weird that something seems to be affecting every clutch--do you think this an incubator problem of some sort?
Re: Yellow Belly Freak.. graphic picture warning
I think you filled your "unlucky" cup completely to the top in one breeding season.
WOW,
Jim Smith