Question regarding deformities and survival rates...

[Action Reptiles]

I just hatched out my 1st clutch of the season from spider X albino and I got 3 spiders and 3 hets. Well 1 of the hets was born with no eyes, perfect in every other way than that, acts normal cruises around. Also 1 other het was born with a shorter bottom jaw(poss no tongue either haven't witnessed it yet).

Now my questions are has anyone else had hatchlings like either of these? and if so what are the survival rates? Now these are the first hatchlings that I have ever had with deformities and I am curious if this is a genetic issue or more along the lines of incubation problem. Im using a new incubator this year I made from an old coke fridge temps stay pretty stable(+/- .5 degree), but did have a power outage within 1st 2 weeks of incubation but only for 15 min(I do use water bottles to help keep temps stable).

Any info will be greatly appreciated pics provided below of 2 in question..

no eyes



shorten lower jaw

[TaylorS]

omg the poor baby it looks really lovable though i hope the little guy makes it...

http://home.comcast.net/~mickeysnigh...%20Defects.htm

seems to be an albino thing... blindness/no eyes due to genetics and developmental related jaw problems

[butters!]

man.that is crazy!im sorry!......

[butters!]

its sad but i dont thin it would survive.you would really have to do alot of work to keep it alive.i would have it youthinised..sorry bout my spelling

[WebbyD]

If you are considering euthanizing them please don't. I'd be willing to give them a shot at survival, especially the one with no eyes.

It would be great to be able to study how it acts and develops without eyes.

[Action Reptiles]

I have no plans to euthanize either of them at this time. I will wait till they shed out and see how (or if) they take their 1st meals. I had read somewhere that they had a baby with no eyes that did eat ok, but unk if it survived or for how long. Hence why I was trying to see if anyone has dealt with this before...

Webbyd I will keep you in mind depending on what happens....

[stevepoppers]

The lack of eyes should not be problem. They have enough other senses to make up for them. I'd worry about that jaw, though.

[angllady2]

Poor little darlings!

I agree they should be given every chance at life. The eyeless one should have little trouble, since snakes have poor eyesight anyway. I wouldn't mind giving that little angel a forever home.

The shorter jaw I would worry might not be able to eat, but if it can it deserves every chance as well. Even if you couldn't keep it, I'm willing to bet someone would keep it and love it even if it wasn't perfect.

Best of wishes for them and you,

Gale

[Tyler_Royality]

Sometimes you can do everything right, and stuff like this happends.. The one with no eyes will survive and eat great im sure.. the one with the overbite though... thats a really bad overbite.. you may have issues with that one.. GL on them!

[PixieMaple]

Aww, they're so cute
I agree with everyone else.. kudos for giving them a chance! I hope they both do fine