Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been closely watching a few of my YT eggs as they were the sickliest looking 3 of the group.
We had a couple of very hot days here and then super cold nights so I figured the sickly looking eggs would cave in and die for sure.
I checked them this morning and the egg that looked the worst over the last 3 weeks looked small, saggy, and brown.
This particular egg always had a cottony looking mold on it from time to time, which I'd treat and also turned red on one area!
I figured "what the hell it's gotta be dead" so I took it out to look at it. It felt saggy, but the shell was dry not wet or moldy and it didn't smell as did the other eggs I'd thrown out before.
I was so pissed that I almost threw it out, then I thought I'd cut it open to see what it looked like inside.
I took a razor blade and made a small incision in the shell.
Expecting rotten egg yolk to come out I start to see some clear fluid then yellow yolk with VEINS in it! SH!T!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I get the yolk back into the egg and quickly push the sides of the egg together.
Remembering that Dean taped up one of his eggs after a breach in the shell I tried to do the same thing, but I didn't think it would seal the slit enough as clear fluid was still seeping out from time to time and wetting the shell.
I dried the area of incision and super glued the seam.
It worked awesome except for one pin hole that I couldn't dry good enough. The entire incision was sealed except for that pin hole and the fluid kept seeping out!
A few more failed attempts and I figured the egg had lost too much of the fluid so I gave up.
This is the SUCK part of it. When I cut the egg open I found a perfectly formed white/pink embryo all coiled up with huge black eyes!!!!
My heart just sank! I killed that poor little YT like a SH!T HEAD! To think, that little egg survived mold, temp spikes, too much moisture, being too dry, my moving it around from container to container to fix the vermiculite, only to be taken out by me!
I should have known it might still be good because it never got that green mold on it, only the light, cottony looking mold. All the others that died got green and smelly.
It just looked so small and crappy looking compared to the others that are now twice the size and white/yellow that I figured it was dead.
I'll get pics of the embryo for you guys. When you see it you'll be bummed just because it was so cute!
Sorry for the long post! I'm REALLY pissed off and bummed out right now.

Thanks for Listening
Bobby

That sucks but thanks for sharing your experience with us. I can be pretty impatient and your story might creep into my head next time I get the urge to mess with an egg that isn't looking good.
I had some perfectly healthy snakes hatch from a couple sorry looking moldy eggs last year so I try to keep a hands off approach as much as possible now.
Live and learn I guess....thanks for letting us learn too.
Chris

Thanks Chris!
I won't mess with another egg again unless it caves in and starts to smell!

You just joined a fairly NON-EXCLUSIVE club Bobby Lee!! CG
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Carl W Gossett
Garage Door Herps
Monument,Colorado...northern territory of the Great Republic of Texas

Carl,

I here by withdraw my membership from the club!LOL
I have some pics of the embryo that I'll send to you and the others. If anyone of you guys wants to post them on the Forum for all to see feel free.

Bobby

You know Bob, just about every serious drymarchon breeder is gonna do just what you did at some point. I've done it, and I know several others who have. Don't be down on yourself. Learning when an egg is truly "bad" is part of becoming a better breeder.

Now, I don't discard an egg until it developes slime or colapses more than a month ahead of when it might be expected.
The "slime" rule has proven 100% so far. The slimey ones also tend to have a smell of rotten eggs.

Hope this helps.

Doug T

That's what bums me out. I only confirm that an egg is no good when it got to the slimy smelly point and this one wasn't there!
I knew the difference and I actually thought about leaving it alone until it better/worse, but I didn't.
Oh well, I won't make that mistake again!

Sorry, man. That's a shame. I recently learned of the existance of YTs, and they are gorgeous.
I've done the same thing. Its an experience thing you'll never forget. However, with that many problems, it may not have survived anyway.
Chalk it up as a lesson learned and concentrate on the others.
Best of luck.
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...and I think to myself, "What a wonderful world."

Thanks for the support from you and everyone else.
Much appreciated!

Sorry to hear about that.

Can you tell me what you use to treat mold/fungus growth on the eggs?

It seems to keep fungal growth at a minimum.

Doug T

I use any of the antifungal powders and sprays available.
The one I'm using at this time is Tinactin antifungal spray liquid. It comes out like a powdery under arm deodorant not like a wet liquid as the name might imply.
Works excellent.

used an actual active fungicide....It really doesn't absorb through the egg shell?? I keep eggs in paper towels and just change the paper every 2 weeks of so...If you guys really have not had a problem with fungus sprays, I may switch! CG
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Carl W Gossett
Garage Door Herps
Monument,Colorado...northern territory of the Great Republic of Texas

The Fungicide does not absorb into the egg if used sparingly.
I only apply a light layer to the problem areas and monitor the eggs.
The mold dies off very quickly sometimes right before your eyes.
Go easy with the Fungicide and you will be ok.

Bobby

I've used this stuff for several years with excellent results.Excessive humidiy also enocurages mold growth and if the incubator doesnt circulate air well can literally smother or drown them.

Take care,

Fred Albury

What sort of incubators are in use out there??...I use Hovabators, but Fred is right...It does not circulate air at all...I lift the lid every couple of days or more...CG
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Carl W Gossett
Garage Door Herps
Monument,Colorado...northern territory of the Great Republic of Texas