1st Time Breeder Help- Lost Baby
Hello to all the ball python experts. Quick background on me- I got into ball pythons roughly 9 months ago with an interest in the genetics factor of these snakes. I found it amazing how many different morphs could be created within this one species. Anyways, I am currently up to 6 snakes that i keep in a homemade rack system. Ok fast forward to my current situation, I recently was successful in breeding my fire male to my spider female and eggs were layed successfully roughly 7 weeks ago. 5 days ago i decided to cut the eggs so that i could confirm the father ( i also crossed the female with a male mojave) and to make sure no babies were having any problems. Well just yesterday i was checking on the eggs which are now in there own tubs finishing incubating and i noticed small maggots crawling around. Turns out that small fruit fly gnat looking things made it into the 6qt sterilite tub and laid eggs. I did some reading on the forum and decided that i would remove the baby carefully without tearing the umbilical cord to get it away from the maggots and let it finish absorbing its yolk in peace. Well i checked the baby this morning before work and the snake did not make it. The baby was non-responsive to my touch. Being that i am a newbie, im sure theres a million things that i did wrong, but can anyone help point out any of the major things that could have messed me up.
Re: 1st Time Breeder Help- Lost Baby
Re: 1st Time Breeder Help- Lost Baby
Thanks Deborah for you advice. Yes I know and I agree completely with what your saying. What’s weird to me is that all 4 eggs were alive and fully developed. Even right now, the other 3 eggs are fully developed and responsive. Do you think the fly larvae did something or maybe me pulling he baby out of the egg. And for the record, when I pulled the baby out the eggs sack was already broken on this particular baby. I had moistened the paper towel well and ensured my temps were correct. I also lightly listed the baby to ensure they did not dry out overnight.
Re: 1st Time Breeder Help- Lost Baby
Oh and how early is too early, according to my estimate, the eggs are well into he 50 + day range
Re: 1st Time Breeder Help- Lost Baby
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Steve760
... eggs were layed successfully roughly 7 weeks ago. 5 days ago i decided to cut the eggs ....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deborah
Untill you know exactly when your hatchlings should pip naturally, and that you can only determine once you have incubated several clutches at the same temp, you should not cut, or you should wait until the first hatching pips. ....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve760
Oh and how early is too early, according to my estimate, the eggs are well into he 50 + day range
First thing done wrong: laying date not recorded. If that 7 week figure is accurate, then the eggs were cut at approximately 45 days and are now about 50 days. But without laying date, there is no way to be certain how long the eggs have been cooking.
For what it's worth, I think Deborah's cutting date recommendation is too early. IMO, cutting the egg shell has no benefit for the snake. Maybe for the human, but not for the snake. Let the baby cut the shell and come out on its own. YMMV.