I'm so bummed... *graphic pics

[cschneider]

So all of these guys were candling well a week ago. I'm not sure what happened with this clutch but if anyone can give me some advice I would much appreciate it. I've been breeding for 3 years now and until now I haven't had any issues with incubation. I have a natures spirit with herpstat at 89.5.

This morning one pipped and it wasn't moving. Just had its nose sticking out of the egg. I could tell something wasn't right when i opened the tub and it didnt move so I started cutting and found 6 out of 8 babies were dead.

This one I think has the heart on the outside of its body. It was the first to pip.


The others were not developed and the liquid in the egg was like jello.


I have 2 other clutches in my incubator and they both look good. Have about 10 days left to go on those.

The two babies left that are still alive seem to be doing ok. I see a little bel poking its head out and looking around. It seems to be alert and ill just let them be until they come out.

This is a pretty crappy feeling losing these guys and I just want to make sure I can prevent it in the future if possible.

[pastel0711]

sorry for your losses. Not sure what could be the cause. An un noticed spike in temperature?

[cschneider]

I was kind of wondering if maybe I had a power outage or something while I was on vacation a few weeks ago but all of my clocks were set when we got back. I don't know. I just really hope the other babies are ok. I checked the other clutches and I can see movement in every egg.

[Badgemash]

I'm so sorry. I hope the little BEL pulls through for you.

[galequin]

The only thing I know that would cause this would be probs with temps, but you're other clutches appear healthy so idk. I'm sorry for your losses but glad that at least two of the lil worms seem to have made it! Wishing the best for you and will be interested to know how your other clutches fair... God forbid, but if they appear to have issues it may have been a power surge, the kind that shuts everything in the house of momentarily but not long enough to reset clocks? I hope that isn't the case n that this was some fluke incident!

[cschneider]

Thanks for the good wishes. I'll update in a few days with the BEL and I think the other one is a little mojave.

[angllady2]

Awww. I feel for you sweetie. One question, the eggs that you lost, had those parents ever been bred together before? Sometimes things like this happen because two snakes are not compatible. I remember reading a post just a short time ago about a female who slugged out when bred to a particular male, although he produces fine with other females.

Sometimes we just don't know the reason why these things happen, and we just have to carry on as best we can. This is the side of breeding any animal no one likes to talk about, but it comes with the territory and I think it is important we share these experiences with others. Especially new breeders need to know, it's not always going to be sunshine and rainbows and lollipops.

Gale

[cschneider]

I bred a virgin mojave to my proven lesser male. I was wondering about it being her first go at breeding maybe something went wrong early on, but I would think all would be dead if they weren't compatible? Keeping my fingers crossed for the two left

[Drake Moonslayer]

I am sorry for your losses. Best wishes for the survivors and the other clutches.

[elduki]

Keep us updated