Quote Originally Posted by frankykeno View Post
Susan, I really hope they are okay. I do know our second clutch gave me fits and I really thought some of them didn't make it. I cut earlier than I meant to (miscounted days!) and some of them didn't seem to respond to touch as readily as others. What Kara told me to do was to give them a good poke with something dull and also to put my nose right down to the egg and sniff for the sweet smell of decomp. Also look at what veins you can see. Are they still red and vital looking or have they degraded, gone dark or not right looking. I did that, never smelled anything, veins looked right and I seemed to get some responsive small movements, though on a couple really not much.

They all did come out and all are okay. I hope that's the situation with you too hon. Please keep us up-to-date and know that we are all hoping so much that things work out okay for these hatchlings.
They don't actually smell bad to me, and the last I remember were that the veins were still red. I didn't get the best look at them this morning b.c I had to leave for work. My husband is the one that did the poking and is convincing me they didn't make it.

Quote Originally Posted by Larry Suttles View Post
I wouldn't be surprised if they are alive and well and are just playing coy. I can't tell you how many times this season I poked baby snakes in the egg and they didn't respond and I went "oh damn it's dead". Give them a little time.

Wow! Thanks Larry!

So do you then not suggest I remove them from the eggs tonight?