Day 64 and no pips :-(

Today is Day 64 and still no pips. Grrrrr! The temperature has been at a steady 88 with the occasional bump up to 89 when the temps outside get warmer, and the room heats up. I have three different thermometers on the eggs so I know I am accurate. The fifth egg (out of 5) just started dimpling on day 60. I candled the eggs last night and everyone was moving a little. They are getting more and more squished in there, but I am pretty sure I could see a little triangular head. I am torn whether to cut at this point. I REALLY want to see pipping happen naturally, but now I am getting anxious that something is wrong... I think I need some moral support!

A lot of people cut at that point (mostly before) it could be safer to cut, and at least check on one, if you are dead set on seeing them pip naturally.

Wait it out!!! They will pip any day now!!! You will be glad you waited :) My first clutch made me wait until day 62 I think, same incubating temps.


Patienceeeeee

I caved in and cut one. I was just too worried something was wrong. But I have to be honest, I am still worried! I have some photos below, but I am really not sure what is normal to see. I am terrified its body is going to be fused together or something weird. The fluid in the egg (not much fluid in there) was slightly milky looking. Is that normal? I was expecting it to be clear yellow or something. The good news is that the little thing moved. So cute, but I would feel much happier if he stuck his head out and started crawling around!http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...psd658137d.jpg
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4ec0eef6.jpg
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...psf04a1d7c.jpg

Oh, I was also wondering, now that I have cut the egg, do I have to add water to it daily? I know it can be more maintenance, but I am not sure what is really involved...

you have waaayy more patience than we do! We were at day 55 yesterday and hubby cut them. :rolleyes: I'm not sure what the fluid is supposed to look like as late as day 64, but the fluid on our babies was clear. This is our first ever clutch, and I don't know tons about baby BPs, but the little bit of the one i see in the pics looks good! Good Luck, and keep us updated!

Congrats on the babies. Eggs look good. What was the pairing?

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Originally Posted by sho220

Congrats on the babies. Eggs look good. What was the pairing?

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The pairing was Dinker X Normal... You can see their photos here: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-time-to-Hatch!! I really hope one baby looks like mom!!

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Originally Posted by Snake Den

The pairing was Dinker X Normal... You can see their photos here: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-time-to-Hatch!! I really hope one baby looks like mom!!

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Ahhh...very cool. :gj: Good luck with them!

Looks like they should be fine, vascularity looks good. I expect them to hatch soon. SHouldn't have to worry about adding fluids. If you feel the need to add fluid - add saline

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Originally Posted by decensored

Looks like they should be fine, vascularity looks good. I expect them to hatch soon. SHouldn't have to worry about adding fluids. If you feel the need to add fluid - add saline

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I really appreciate the feedback! Every little bit of advice helps!

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

Yay!!!!! :) they are just testing your patience aren't they!! Haha. Hopefully you won't have to wait so long for future clutches to hatch.


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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Yay!!!!! :) they are just testing your patience aren't they!! Haha. Hopefully you won't have to wait so long for future clutches to hatch.

Yeah, I sure hope they don't make me wait this long every time! Next year is going to be a lot more exciting too! I am putting a Yellowbelly to a bumblebee (although she was already bred to GHI before I bought her so I am secretly hoping she ovulates and gives me GHIs), and the Albino spider is going to the albino. Then the Dinker Female may also go to the bumble bee, or one of the other guys... Im not sure yet ;) But this is just getting me super stoked about this coming season!!!

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What sweet photos! Can't wait to have a clutch of my own to see all their little noses pip-- I know I'm going to set up a personal webcam to watch them 24-7 lol.

Very cool pics! Congrats! My first clutch decided to wait until 58 days to pip and I was a wreck. I could only imagine how you have been feeling. Way to stick it out.

Awwwwww! That little pipping nose pic is CUTE! :D

The longest I've ever had to wait on a clutch was 67 days. It can be a frustrating wait but totally worth it. Congrats!

Sad update. A few hours ago I checked the eggs and everything was looking great. The little pipper had his head out and was chilling while breathing in the world for the first time. The other egg I cut was also doing well. I also noticed that a third egg was hatching... there were three little slits in the side and fluid was seeping out. I decided to wait for Adam to come home before I showed him the developments while he had been at work. Well he just got home, and when I went in there I noticed that the slit egg hadn't changed at all. That seemed weird to me, so I cut the hole open wide. The snake didn't move. I guess the poor snake tried to get out and used up all his energy before drowning in his own fluid. Now I feel bad, wondering whether I should have cut. The snake looked otherwise healthy and had a pretty pattern, even though he was normal. I decided to go ahead and cut the other two eggs. I didn't want another drowning snake overnight. All the other snakes are still moving, so I hope we only had one loss. Still, I feel terrible. I know these things happen, but I wanted to start my first clutch off with perfect success! Live and learn I guess. I will update you on the status of the other ones as they (hopefully) leave the egg.

Another update! Two out of the four remaining hatchlings have crawled out of their eggs! Just waiting on the last two babies and I will have my first clutch "on the ground!" Photos will be posted tomorrow :-)

Sorry about the loss. :( Don't blame yourself. If something was wrong with that particular baby it might not have mattered if you cut or not.

Congrats on the rest, though. :) Pics?

Sorry for your lost little one:( can't wait to see the other cuties:)

Wow so sorry to hear about your loss! I guess these things just happen sometimes :(

Very glad to hear more of them are coming out tho! Congrats!

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It sounds like you did everything you could have known to do. sometimes things happen so try not to sweat it too bad. Congrats on your clutch though, loving the updates!


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How positive are you that the one that wasn't moving was dead? Sorry for your loss if you're sure, but these little hatchlings freak me out a lot acting like they're dead even when I poke them, then all of a sudden they wake up and move a bit. Remember, they don't have eyelids and sleep just as much as other animal babies. I thought for sure there was a dead one this morning, took out the tub and poked - nothing... then I went to lift the baby up a bit and it woke up and looked like a grumpy baby.

Congrats on all of the definitely healthy ones! PICS!


It was 6 days ago, so I guess you're sure at this point. Still... I would not assume a baby is dead unless the whole animal was out of the egg and not flipping itself over from being placed on its back.

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Originally Posted by Snake Den

Today is Day 64 and still no pips. Grrrrr! The temperature has been at a steady 88 with the occasional bump up to 89 when the temps outside get warmer, and the room heats up. I have three different thermometers on the eggs so I know I am accurate.

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I know you think you incubated at the proper temps, but I have yet to see an egg go over 56 days without pipping on it's own, if it was incubated 88 to 90.
I would think you incubated closer to 86 to 87 to go that long.

Lmao, this dude is wearing gloves! You need to relax, I've never seen anyone wearing gloves to cut eggs.

Nothing wrong with wearing gloves. It's rare that I ever cut an egg, but when I have I prefer gloves. Not a big fan of getting egg goo on my hands.

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Originally Posted by stickyalvinroll

Lmao, this dude is wearing gloves! You need to relax, I've never seen anyone wearing gloves to cut eggs.

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Why wouldn't you wear gloves to cut eggs? You're exposing a previously closed system (egg) literally filled with nutrients (yolk) to bacteria and fungi, anything you can do to lessen the risk of infection is a good thing. Especially if they're sitting there for a week.

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Originally Posted by Badgemash

Why wouldn't you wear gloves to cut eggs? You're exposing a previously closed system (egg) literally filled with nutrients (yolk) to bacteria and fungi, anything you can do to lessen the risk of infection is a good thing. Especially if they're sitting there for a week.

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I've never seen people wear gloves before.

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Originally Posted by Kodieh

I've never seen people wear gloves before.

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Ever?


0.1.0 Normal Ball Python
0.1.0 Colombian B.C.I. 2013
1.0.0 EBV Red Group Pastel Hypo Jungle B.C.I. 2013
1.0.0 Hypo Colombian B.C.I 2011
0.1.0 Anery Colombian B.C.I 2010

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Originally Posted by Expensive hobby

Ever?


0.1.0 Normal Ball Python
0.1.0 Colombian B.C.I. 2013
1.0.0 EBV Red Group Pastel Hypo Jungle B.C.I. 2013
1.0.0 Hypo Colombian B.C.I 2011
0.1.0 Anery Colombian B.C.I 2010

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In context, no, but I and many others have worn them for other reasons. ;)

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Originally Posted by Kodieh

In context, no, but I and many others have worn them for other reasons. ;)

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Lol ok just checking


0.1.0 Normal Ball Python
0.1.0 Colombian B.C.I. 2013
1.0.0 EBV Red Group Pastel Hypo Jungle B.C.I. 2013
1.0.0 Hypo Colombian B.C.I 2011
0.1.0 Anery Colombian B.C.I 2010

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Originally Posted by Quiet Tempest

Sorry about the loss. :( Don't blame yourself. If something was wrong with that particular baby it might not have mattered if you cut or not.

Congrats on the rest, though. :) Pics?

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Thank you for the support! I am really happy with the rest of my clutch. It made me feel better when they all successfully left the egg and started cruising around!
I have photos of the four healthy worms in this thread:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...65#post2133665

I could use some feedback on my thoughts in that thread, so I encourage you to add your opinions ;)

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Originally Posted by MrLang

How positive are you that the one that wasn't moving was dead? Sorry for your loss if you're sure, but these little hatchlings freak me out a lot acting like they're dead even when I poke them, then all of a sudden they wake up and move a bit. Remember, they don't have eyelids and sleep just as much as other animal babies. I thought for sure there was a dead one this morning, took out the tub and poked - nothing... then I went to lift the baby up a bit and it woke up and looked like a grumpy baby.

Congrats on all of the definitely healthy ones! PICS!


It was 6 days ago, so I guess you're sure at this point. Still... I would not assume a baby is dead unless the whole animal was out of the egg and not flipping itself over from being placed on its back.

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It was most definitely dead unfortunately. I pulled its head out and it just flopped over completely flaccid. Pretty convincing :( So, being a vet student, I wanted to investigate further. I pulled it out of the egg since it was definitely dead, laid it out and photographed it. I ended up taking it to the university to be used for research. At least it will serve a purpose in its short, almost life.

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Originally Posted by snakesRkewl

I know you think you incubated at the proper temps, but I have yet to see an egg go over 56 days without pipping on it's own, if it was incubated 88 to 90.
I would think you incubated closer to 86 to 87 to go that long.

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I used a temp gun, a probe thermometer, another thermometer, and I had the incubator set to 91, plus the ambient room temperature was 84 so that my incubator didn't have to work as hard. I am 95% sure that my temps were accurate. I guess I just have stubborn snakes!

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Originally Posted by stickyalvinroll

Lmao, this dude is wearing gloves! You need to relax, I've never seen anyone wearing gloves to cut eggs.

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#1, I am not a dude, I am a chick :P #2 I am a vet student, as I said above, and we are trained to use sterile technique when working with animals so as not to spread disease and infection. I have seen egg cutting done without gloves for the most part, however why not use gloves? It keeps your hands goo free, and the sterile environment of the egg is also better preserved. I don't want to be responsible for killing my snakes by introducing a bacteria or fungus that was on my hands into the egg.