Not looking good.. Deformed hatchlings

[Tsanford]

Did they all have the deformation?

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[Galaxygirl]

Yes, they all have it severely. The Killer Bee in the boob egg seems to be the least affected, but I believe it's because he looks quite underdeveloped and his top snout is still short. I believe the most popular belief for this occurrence is the pairing of those particular parents causes it, but nothing is proven, and I don't think anyone actually bred the same two parents again to try to prove it.. Some people reported this happening when they had a power outage, and some people didn't have any incubator issues and it still happened.

[Aercadia]

:( I am so sorry for your loss. I hope your other clutch is unaffected.

[KitaCat]

I'm so sorry. They are beautiful hatchlings. I hope your other clutch is both beautiful and healthy!

[CORBIN911]

Several scientific studies over the last few years have shown this to be false and freezing has not been considered a humane form of euthanasia for several years. The reptiles become torpid but they don't go to sleep, they feel themselves freeze which is not only very painful, but because they're cold they can't move. Unfortunately a lot of vets haven't gotten the word so the misinformation that freezing is humane continues to spread.

Euthanasia should be as quick and painless as possible for the animal. For a snake you're looking at pithing or totally destroying the brain. It's not surprising that people shy away from it - it's brutal, it can be messy, and it's emotionally difficult to destroy a life that you planned months or even years to create.

Not only that, but during freezing their cells explode pretty much. As he said, Pithing is the best way, Unless euthanized by drugs from vet.

[Galaxygirl]

Does anyone have instructions on how to pith a snake? I can't find any information on it.. Or would it be easier to use CO2? I'm not sure if that's what rodent breeders use, honestly wasn't prepared for something like this.

[Artemisace]

No one's ever prepared for something like that. You have my deepest condolences and I hope your other clutch turns out okay. Don't give up either, I personally wouldn't breed that female again if the male has sired another clutch that was okay. Or maybe put another male with her this year if nothing else to see if it happens again. I know that's not something you'd want top hop through again but I know I would want to know if it was an issue with my female. Again I am deeply sorry for your loss. They are beautiful babies and I wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors

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[Galaxygirl]

Breeder got back to me and said she has had a healthy clutch before with an Enchi male. He says he bred this same Queen Bee to her but she never took. She is capable of producing healthy clutches, and the Queen Bee has as well.

[Artemisace]

Breeder got back to me and said she has had a healthy clutch before with an Enchi male. He says he bred this same Queen Bee to her but she never took. She is capable of producing healthy clutches, and the Queen Bee has as well.

Then I just wouldn't breed them together in the future. Really a shame that clutch is beautiful.

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[Galaxygirl]

Here's some new photos of three of the babies for anyone curious. They're in shed now. We're not euthanizing until we've determined if they can eat on their own.