Don't beat yourself up over this as there may very well have been nothing you could have done.

There are many developmental problems that would only be a problem when the snake reached the stage of pipping and breathing on its own.

The mention of the unique back pattern might hint that is suffered a lesser form of the problem the other one did.

Tying off the umbilical can be done successfully ( see Muddoc's threads for info on these things ) but I wouldn't have tried to force feed the yolk I don't think.


dr del