Quote Originally Posted by frankykeno
With all the hatching that's going on right now a few questions have come to mind.

I know there's a bit of difference of opinion about whether or not to cut eggs, when it's appropriate to do so and how much (little V or big hole or something in between). What's the experienced word on this? What do you actually use to cut? I read somewhere to use cuticle scissors. Also I'm concerned when we are facing our own eggs whether this is a skill one should learn by watching or if I'm overthinking this totally (making it more difficult in my mind than it is). I've seen mention of being careful to not cut veins.

How do hatchling snakes actually pip naturally? Do they have some sort of egg tooth or does their struggling to get out just split the leathery egg or what?

From what I see so far, they stick their heads out but then stay in the egg for a number of days absorbing the yolk. Is there a standard timeline for this. What I mean is how fast is too fast for them to emerge and what are the risks of for that. Are there any risks to the hatchling if they stay inside the egg too long?

Sorry for the tons of questions but unlike some of you I'm not blessed to be able to go visit Adam so I'm stuck reading about this stuff online LOL.
First the only time i cut the eggs myself is if all the other eggs are slit but one is not after 3 to 5 days.If a baby does not slit its egg shell in a certain length of time they could die inside.This will happen if the baby is to weak or undeveloped.Once the eggs are slit i leave it up to the babies to come out on there own.If you ever have to slit the eggs be very carefull and only cut open a small section.After cutting the small section i tear the area a little more with my fingers.Yes you will get the inner liquid on your fingers and i can not tell you the felling of this stuff on your fingers.