Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
January 1, 2007; my severely gravid Monkey tail skink gave birth to twin babies. However, the second baby was malformed and died only hours after being born. The first baby is much better off. I emailed the Corucia expert I got my male skink from, and she gave me some bad news, and explained death of the second baby. Both babies were born with their yolk sacs on the outside. It did not occur to me that this was not normal. The second baby, in addition to having its yolk sac on the outside, also had the better part of its digestive tract outside as well. The "Corucia expert" told me that this can happen if the babies are born too early, which is very disturbing. She said that my first baby is still in trouble. I am taking it to the vet in the morning. The vet will remove the yolk sac and give the baby antibiotics. The baby has a good chance of getting an umbilical infection that can lead to an infection of the digestive tract and death. Additionally, since the baby will no longer have the yolk sac, the baby will not receive the nutritional benefits that is needs for its first couple weeks of life. I am hoping it will take to eating sooner than it normally would, or it may need to be force fed or given an IV. I am hoping the first baby of the new year came with a little luck, or it may not make it. I will keep you all informed. Josh

I forgot to mention the second baby that died was malformed more than just the exposed internal organs. The baby looked like someone put its body in a vise. Its rib cage grew in a confined position leading to a compressed rib cage. It also almost looked like it had a broken back, but it probably looked like that for the same reason the rib cage was compressed. There was simply not enough room in my female skink for twins. She is still young and this was her first pregnancy, so I am hoping this will not happen in the future. Josh

Sad to hear that Josh .. I hope the 1st baby does better and survives. Best of luck with the vet.
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Pete
1.0 Solomon Island / PTS Skink
0.1 Boa Constrictor
1.0 Patternless Green Burm
0.1 Pueblan Milksnake - Apricot phase
1.1 Honduran Milksnake - Tangerine phase
0.1 Honduran Milksnake - normal phase
1.0 Ball Python
0.1 Rainbow Boa
2.0 Cornsnake
1.1 Leopard Gecko's
1.1 Fat Tail Gecko's

Leeway Corucia Research Center (LCRC)

Hi Josh,

My sorrow for your loss as well as cheers for the survival of the other twin. The info on your your experience (with your loss) is informative and may prove an aid to Corucia neonate survival in the future.

Corucia produce by viviporous matrotrophy as such, they have a placenta not unlike a mammal. It is not a yolk sack per se. The developing Corucia is attached by an umb. cord to the placenta externally. This is normal. The neonate corucia, after feed on this placenta. This is why it takes usually 3 days for the young to start eating.I wanted to add that as much as we know there is so much we have yet to learn. When it comes to fetal Corucia survival, this is especially true.

I wanted to add that as much as we know there is so much we have yet to learn. When it comes to fetal Corucia survival, this is especially true.

It takes a great deal of genetic investment by the female to produce one young that is a great % of weight and size of her, not to mention producing a second young. Is a lack of nutrition, stress, improper climatic conditions, etc that causes a loss of a twin or both developing young? These are answers that hopefully those who are working with Corucia may be able to solve. Even in the best of conditions, in the case of twins many are born with the second individual more stunted in size.

Thanks again for posting this information and best of luck with your Corucia.

Sincerely,
Brian
LCRC

Leeway Corucia Research Center (LCRC)

Correction:

The sentence should read: Corucia have been observed feeding on the placental sack after birth.

Sorry for this oversight.

Sincerely,
Brian
LCRC

Viviparous (Sp)