Dealing with the unexpected...(Hatchlings)

[Spaniard]

Hello Everyone,

I thought it would be a great idea to have a thread dedicated to all the unforeseen events you've all come across when hatching out new ball pythons or any snake for that matter. What was the problem? How did you deal with it? Did it work? What would you do differently if it occurred again?

I can think of a few threads I can see in here, such as Tim's experience with Grace; more recently Loft Lizard's pastel difficulties.

These threads IMO are some of the most informative and interesting things I've read on this site. It's a shame for them to be buried along with the rest. If you would like to participate please post your experience and/or the original thread you created to discuss it. If there is enough information here perhaps one of the mods/admin will sticky it to the advanced husbandry or breeding forum.

No clutches yet from me so its up to you folks to share the knowledge!

[muddoc]

Rich,
You know me. I'm all about sharing my experiences. As soon as we have a problem this year (I hope we don't, but with so many eggs, something is bound to happen), I will be sure to come back to this thread.

p.s. I also love to hear about the problems and solutions. If everything always went right, we wouldn't learn a thing.

[Spaniard]

Thanks Tim,

I hope you don't mind, but I included links to your threads about Grace.

Initial Thread (Graphic Images)
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=53378

Update #1
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=54968

Update #2
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56124

[kc261]

I think this thread is a FABULOUS idea. The only thing I would add is when links are posted to other thread, add a one or two sentence summary, so someone looking here can know if it might apply to their situation.

You know me. I'm all about sharing my experiences. As soon as we have a problem this year (I hope we don't, but with so many eggs, something is bound to happen), I will be sure to come back to this thread.

But you have had issues this year! Not with hatchlings, but with eggs, and IMHO that belongs in this thread or one like it. A torn egg that was leaking, and power loss resulting in a dip in incubation temps. BTW, I think you said at least some of the eggs that had the temp drop had hatched out ok, but I don't remember seeing any update on the leaky egg. Can you update us on those please (or give me the link if I've missed it)?
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=67199

[muddoc]

I think this thread is a FABULOUS idea. The only thing I would add is when links are posted to other thread, add a one or two sentence summary, so someone looking here can know if it might apply to their situation.



But you have had issues this year! Not with hatchlings, but with eggs, and IMHO that belongs in this thread or one like it. A torn egg that was leaking, and power loss resulting in a dip in incubation temps. BTW, I think you said at least some of the eggs that had the temp drop had hatched out ok, but I don't remember seeing any update on the leaky egg. Can you update us on those please (or give me the link if I've missed it)?
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=67199

Casey,
My apologies for no updates on the torn egg. The egg sealed up after 1 day, and filled out fine. We just cut that clutch of eggs yesterday, and all of the babies look great. I think the torn egg contains an Enchi. When they crawl out, I'll post pics of the hatchlings.

As for the dip, we have hatched out 7 clutches so far that were involved in the temp drop. Out of over 40 eggs, only one snake died in the egg after we cut it, and I don't attribute it to the power failure, as the other 7 eggs hatched fine. Probably was just a developemental issue.

[Ladydragon]

As for the dip, we have hatched out 7 clutches so far that were involved in the temp drop. Out of over 40 eggs, only one snake died in the egg after we cut it, and I don't attribute it to the power failure, as the other 7 eggs hatched fine. Probably was just a developemental issue.

Post it anyways Tim. More to learn.

[Gloryhound]

While it was not hatched by us we did have an issue with a hatchling we purchased at a reptile show. Should have known better than to buy hatchlings before they took their first meal, but two lesser sibling females from a lesser that came straight from the original platty daddy at $40.00 for both was too tempting considering each has 50% chance of having the hidden gene!

Well one ate just fine for us, but the other had not eaten since birth 3 months ago and was starting to drop weight (a couple of grams a week.) We had started attempting assist feed about a week ago every two or three days and was not having any luck. Today we figured we had to go more drastic as she had dropped below 35 grams. We did our first force feed with a pinky mouse. It was a little hairy trying to make sure we got it down far enough that she would not be able to readily spit it up! We got it to the point that the tail tip was just able to stick out of the corner of the mouth and then let the snake do the rest. So far we are 8 hours later and the little lump of the pinky seems to be gone which we figure means the pinky is down to the center of the snake. Checked her enclosure and no signs of regurgitation. I just hope we don't have to do this again, but from what I have heard you have to do it a couple of times normally.

[Inferno]

While it was not hatched by us we did have an issue with a hatchling we purchased at a reptile show. Should have known better than to buy hatchlings before they took their first meal, but two lesser sibling females from a lesser that came straight from the original platty daddy at $40.00 for both was too tempting considering each has 50% chance of having the hidden gene!

sorry to burst your bubble here but neither of them will have the hidden gene....the normal clutchmates of the lesser(from the platty) will have the hidden gene but the lessers in the clutch wont...a clutch from a platty you get lessers and hidden gene normals, the lessers arer not carrying the hidden gene or they would be plattys.

[Gloryhound]

sorry to burst your bubble here but neither of them will have the hidden gene....the normal clutchmates of the lesser(from the platty) will have the hidden gene but the lessers in the clutch wont...a clutch from a platty you get lessers and hidden gene normals, the lessers arer not carrying the hidden gene or they would be plattys.

The thread is not about genetics, but the hidden gene is believed at this time to be dependent recessive. The lesser gene is co-dom. If a pastel albino is bred to a normal 50% of offspring should be pastel and all the offspring will be het for albino. Only difference here is that inorder to become visual not only do both parents have to be hets, but a second gene has to be pressent such as the lesser or butter gene.

[Argentra]

Well, I suppose it was trouble with a good outcome... Here are the threads on my rescued pastel male BP 'SunSpot':

Original thread:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=57337

Follow up thread:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=57559

He's doing GREAT now! A major pig who hasn't missed a single meal with me yet, weighs in at over 260g, and seems to be keeping his color! He just snuck in a shed on me this morning and is still as bright as ever.

My other rescue BP, Hera, from the Vicks idiot upstairs, is doing quite well so far. She shed a few days ago, in pieces of course, and had to be soaked but she ended up getting it all off. Her eye caps still look bad...but I think that'll take a few more sheds to clear up.