Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone,

I came home last night to find that my surprise snow boa, born amongst a litter of anerys and hets, passed away I'm still not sure exactly sure what the sex was, but I'm fairly positive it was a female. So I guess she just couldn't handle being born that premature, with a large amount of yolk externally and internally still needed to absorb. Pretty bummed out about her loss. She was also a very tiny little thing. I think she barely passed the one foot mark in length. I kinda noticed she was a acting a bit more lethargic the day before, compared to when she was first born. But I still held on to some hope for her. Oh well, can't win them all, I guess. At least I now know that any large external yolk should be tied off within a day after birth. That was some great advice that I was very glad to receive from some of you. I hope that it never happens again (knock on wood), but if it does, I now know exactly what to do and I won't be as nervous doing it. The tied off section actually did dry up and fall off on its own the day before, so like some of you said, I don't think tying the excess yolk and cutting it off led to her demise. Who knows?

Looking on the bright side of things, I've had a pretty fun time during this boa breeding season. Had 4 great, healthy litters [minus the snow baby] Being a small time local So Cal breeder, I've had a blast sorting through about a hundred baby boas this year. And I still have a nice big group of anerys to sort thru and decide which ones I want to hold onto. By far, the anery gene remains my favorite morph. I just love the look of a nice clean anery boa.

Plus I guess I can safely assume that the momma of the litter is a proven Anery Het Snow? Am I safe in assuming that, considering that little snow popped up in the litter? Would this make the litter poss. dh snow then? Not sure exactly how to label these guys. Honestly, the labeling is the least of my worries because I've got another 18 extra baby boa mouths to feed over here. Fun times for me, despite the disappointment from yesterday's passing.

Well, I just thought you all would want to hear the news from me, though it is a bit depressing. Again, thank you all for your support, advice, and info during this ordeal.

All the best to you all,

Jay

GOD BLESS,STEPHEN

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Sorry to hear that I think the big belly probably is what did her in, but who knows sometimes perfectly normal babys just die for no apperant reason I had that happen to my pick of the litter albino she died about 5 days in after being born perfect. So who knows I guess they are not always meant to make it Vinnie

Yeah, I guess my boa luck for the year had to end some time. Poor little girl though, she looked so alert those first few days. But, like you said, some just aren't meant to be, regardless of it being a normal, snow, albino, or whatever. I tell you though, I HATE those d@mn premie big bellies!! I had one other hypo female born a few years ago that another big belly, no external yolk remaining, but a really big and bad looking belly. She also would've been a keeper for sure, but she passed about a week or so after being born. Well, guess I'll just keep doing my best and hope and pray that none of my future gravid girls drop early.

Thanks again,

Jay

Yea the big belly sucks I had 2 preemie litters this year and lost a few babys, but learned alot I think. In the future if they have a big sac and look like they will get a big belly if they absorb it all I am just going to cut it before they have the chance. The baby I saved from my second litter this year was soooo small and underdeveloped she looked anery for about 2 weeks, but she made it and is an eating machine now. I cut the cord and she looked really thin after 5 days but I just kept her hydrated and feed her early. I had another in my first litter I thought was dead in the sac she had such a huge sac with her in there I cut it that night and gave her some "repta-aid" power mixed with warm water about 5 days later to tide her over and she is doing great now also. It sucks to lose that beauty I am sure, but just think how fun next year will be now!!! Vinnie

Hey man, sorry to hear that. That was truly amazing though that you got a snow from that litter. I know everyone was hoping she would make it....

Frank

that sucks...

I'm sorry to hear that and I feel for you since I lost a few baby snows and albinos last year and a few made it past the first week. Those white and yellow babies always seem to be a little weaker compared to their normal sibs.

I'm VERY sorry to hear about your loss. However, you seem to have a remarkably positive attitude all things considered and that's the most important thing! Keep your head up and congratulations on all the babies you got this season!
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Jason Gonzalez
PreMeditated Morphs
www.PreMeditatedMorphs.com
Jason@PreMeditatedMorphs.com

I really thought you where going to post in a few days letting everyone know she was eating.
I am really sorry Dude.
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Joel Pretz
JP Reptiles

np
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1.0 pastel
0.1 suriname passed away july 24th 2006
0.1 columbian
0.1 columbian
0.1 columbian
0.1 columbian
1.0 striped columbian
16 babie boas
1.0 burmese 10'
0.1 burmese 11'
0.1 retic 13'

Thanks for all the kind words everyone. Definitely has been a good learning experience for me during this ordeal. Despite this heartbreak, I still love this lil hobby of ours. Breeding boas gives me the outlet I definitely need when I need to step away from the law books for an hour or so. The excitement of getting a snow boa from this litter was truly an awesome feeling, and I can't wait to breed this momma again to my albino or het albinos or dh snows to really prove her out as an Anery Het Snow. I still don't really like albinos (especially after all this), but I'd still like to take on the challenge of breeding for a snow. We'll see I guess.

I sincerely appreciate everyone's kindness and support. Thanks to you all...

Jay