Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, I learned a bit on this first one. I don't think my temps were warm enough and I will not be making the same mistake twice. I was looking forward to seeing what these babies might look like after being bred to a really nice normal and a laddertail. Over all I got 16 slugs, 2 still and 6 premature. Out of those live prematures I have 5 still incubating and hopefully they pull through.....

It was all a pretty amazing experience anyway.....My female went 112 POS and I thought that I wouldn't be getting any premies for her going that long. The temps must have been way off or maybe interference from slugs. The last day I was wondering if she was even gravid and the slugs would account for her 1st third of her body not shrinking in size.

I hope the premies pull through. The ones that are left look to be doing OK.....I have definitely learned quite a bit with this litter and will make next year better.

We all learn from our mistakes. I hope the babies make it ok. Keep us posted! Positive vibes sent for the remaining babies!

Hey Brett,
Sorry to hear about that, I know you were really excited about this litter. At least you got 5 though and it looks like they have some pretty cool tails.
I'm also surprised you got premies with her going 112 days. Is it possible your count was off. I mean did you actually see her ovulate prior to that shed. There's something I've been thinking about since people keep saying their females are going way past the 105 days. Maybe the first ovulation is causing the hormones to go weird which causes the shed, and maybe there is a second ovulation after the shed. This would account for the extra time and may explain why you have premies since the second ovulation could be a few weeks after the first.
Also, my best advice to you on those premies is don't push them when it comes to feeding. The last thing you want when they are that size is a regurge.
Matt

Thanks all.....The ovulation theory may explain things but I think the amount of slugs may have taken alot of the heat away. I am pretty sure she only ovulated once and shed right on time.....but then again this was my first time.

Anyway, I will take care of these guys and hopefully they will pull through.

Thanks again..

Sorry for the slugs Brett,5 is better than 0 all was not lost...

-James

Congrats Brett! Those 5 look like they will do fine! Keep us posted...Thanks for sharing, Andy
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Sorry the outcome wasnt so good. Better luck next time. Boas can be tricky.

I hope the five you have will pull through for you. They look beautiful. Keep us posted.
Michael Burton

I believe you said there were 2 at it...

I think some may say it was temps, some may say it was the males...

maybe they didn't do a good enough job, maybe they weren't left in long enough, maybe they weren't cooled or cooled enough, maybe they were shooting blanks! lol...

many, many possibilities with Boas... not too cut and dry.. lol

humbling experience... lol

All the best, Joe Bci Joe
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Thanks and take care - Joe Rollo
'Tis not the stongest of the species that will eventually survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change' Charles Darwin

Thank you....she was with one male a laddertail. As far as everything goes.....It was a great experience and I learned alot. Your right as far as specualtion goes but next time I believe I will have better heat for her. Here is a pic of both parents.
Mom

Dad

.
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Thanks and take care - Joe Rollo
'Tis not the stongest of the species that will eventually survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change' Charles Darwin

The male is a Baranquilla laddertail...WC from Colombia. I bought him off Ed Lilley last year....

Very nice... he has that yellowish pastelish look like the animals that have come from the DaveyPastel line...

he looks great and that female looks awesome!!!
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Thanks and take care - Joe Rollo
'Tis not the stongest of the species that will eventually survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change' Charles Darwin

What were the temps that made you assume that maybe they needed to be higher??

Just curious..
thanks

The temps were in the high 80's but it wasn't belly heat....

>>Well, I learned a bit on this first one. I don't think my temps were warm enough and I will not be making the same mistake twice. I was looking forward to seeing what these babies might look like after being bred to a really nice normal and a laddertail. Over all I got 16 slugs, 2 still and 6 premature. Out of those live prematures I have 5 still incubating and hopefully they pull through.....
>>
>>It was all a pretty amazing experience anyway.....My female went 112 POS and I thought that I wouldn't be getting any premies for her going that long. The temps must have been way off or maybe interference from slugs. The last day I was wondering if she was even gravid and the slugs would account for her 1st third of her body not shrinking in size.
>>
>>I hope the premies pull through. The ones that are left look to be doing OK.....I have definitely learned quite a bit with this litter and will make next year better.
>>
>>
>>
>>

I hope they pull threw for you Brett.Looks like some nice striping on a couple of them.Dont give up their will be good years an bad ones.Again I hope an wish yopu best of luck with the premies.Take Care.Eric[Hypoboa]
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E&C's Exotic House of Reptiles

.

Congrats on the litter. I hope everything goes well with the 5.
Best of luck in the future.
Chuck

I really appreciate everyone's comments....

The babies are doing great in just the short amount of time here. They have all shed and taken some fuzzy rats.........just kidding. Two still have their yolk sacs attached and one lost his all on his own. I snipped two off after seeing their were no veins and they seem to be doing OK....I even had one strike at me! That should be a good sign!! Keeping them moist and trying not to disturb them too much....

Thanks again....

Hey Brett sounds great! You could also tie off the egg yolk with some dental floss or good white thread...then cut off the excess so they don't have to pull that heavy load....just watch the string does not suck up inside the boa when it starts drawing the cord in....good luck and congrats on your babies! Andy
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