Day 58

[Bruce Whitehead]

You definitely have a wrapped umbilicus... fourth pic to the left of the blood vessels you can see it. (have had 3 myself).

I would not advise popping him out of the egg... do a search on "hardbelly" on the forum.

I untangled one this seaon that was near the head, by simply nudging the snakes nose, and she retreated to the other side.

But it looks like this one may be further down the body.

And it looks like a tight one too... I have been told that it is possible to untagleh in the egg, but I do not know how. yet I have seen it done in retic videos. And in those cases the snakes were removed from the egg and then popped back in.

So not entirely sure to what degree you can remove them, but personally I would not do it. Again, that is just me.

You can tie the umbilicus off with dental floss, and then cut it (messy). You have to then sop up the blood before it gets mixed in the yolk and then scoop off the top layer of scum. (Qtips work great for quickly absorbing the blood).

Your priority may then be getting a meal into him sooner then the others, but I have talked to one breeder that simply cuts the cord and waits till the first shed. Offers food sooner, but says they can do fine, skinnier, but will do OK.

Again, that part is heresay.

I had to cut 3 and lost two.

First snake I lost to hardbelly. I removed her from the egg.

Second snake, was kinked, so I had to put her down. The cutting was not relevant, but I euthanized her prior to her first meal.

Third snake, I cut, and waited till his first shed. I did assist him at the time the others were taking their first meal.

Hope this helps a bit? Research any key points so you are making an informed decision, and treat this simply as hearsay.

Good luck!
Bruce

PS: if anyone can clarify, add to, or disspell anything I said, feel free.