Nervous about 1st time hatching eggs and ?

[Drake Moonslayer]

Congrats on the first clutch. Sorry about the odds. I am so looking forward to this myself.

[MrLang]

It's only 4 eggs so the odds may have been poor, but it kind of brings into question the het mom. Did you produce her yourself?

[KenW]

Good point Mr. Lang. This morning I did consider the possibility that she may not be a het. I bought the pair years ago from a well-known and reputable breeder. I don't doubt they intended to sell me a male albino and female het. What is possible is that with a facility producing tons of babies, there's a chance a normal looking creature or het for another gene could have been accidentally misplaced or mislabeled. Accidents do happen. Anyways, I'll have to breed her next year with the albino and see what she produces. Yesterday I was disappointed that no albinos were produced but I am looking forward to raising these little ones up for some time.

[BHReptiles]

Good point Mr. Lang. This morning I did consider the possibility that she may not be a het. I bought the pair years ago from a well-known and reputable breeder. I don't doubt they intended to sell me a male albino and female het. What is possible is that with a facility producing tons of babies, there's a chance a normal looking creature or het for another gene could have been accidentally misplaced or mislabeled. Accidents do happen. Anyways, I'll have to breed her next year with the albino and see what she produces. Yesterday I was disappointed that no albinos were produced but I am looking forward to raising these little ones up for some time.

First of all, congrats on the clutch! My first clutch hatched about a week ago, so I know the high you are feeling!

Second, I would give the female two more seasons to try and prove out her het. If she doesn't prove out, I'd contact the breeder. Most offer a genetic guarantee and should honor it.

[KenW]

3 het albinos cleaned up and removed from the incubator. 1 still in the egg. Can't resist posting up 1 last pic for this thread. I like pics in these forums. Hope you do too

[KenW]

First head poked out at day 57 and three hatchlings came out by day 60. I have one still in the egg. I cut it a few days ago to see how it was doing. It moves but hasn't come out yet. How long should it take to come out? Should I cut the egg more and assist the baby out? Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[BHReptiles]

If he's moving, give him another day or two. Just check for a twisted cord. If he doesn't have one, leave him be

[KenW]

Not sure what a twisted cord is or how to check for it. I guess I'll just wait a day or 2 and hope it works out. Perhaps I've been monkeying around too much with the eggs and I need Mother Nature to take care of things here.

[KenW]

************ WARNING: Graphic image to follow text***************** I don't know about this forum's protocols for sharing graphic images so I've tried to add this warning in case there's anybody squeamish. I've included a graphic image of the 4th snake in the clutch. The other day I asked about the fourth egg that hadn't hatched yet. The other 3 hatched and were doing fine. The fourth wasn't moving yesterday in the egg so I cut it open. The snake was dead. What I believe was a large unabsorbed yolk was attached. BHReptiles warned me about a twisted cord. I think that's what might have happened. I had to unroll the cord around the snake. The snake's body does look deformed. Perhaps this is rigor mortis after being dead in a cramped egg. Perhaps the snake's development in the egg was really messed up. I don't know. I am disappointed this snake didn't survive. It's probably Mother Nature's way of taking care of these things. Any ideas on why this happened or what I could have done to prevent something like this?

[DooLittle]

So sorry. Grats on the other babies though. Did you have any incubation problems, or temp fluctuations?