Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had a litter of 13 baby BRBs on May 7th. I just found 2 of them dead. I was wondering if anyone else has babies die this far after birth.
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1.1 Motley het butter corns
0.1 Snow corn
0.1 Okeetee corn
1.0 Anery mutt corn
0.1 Stripe Ghost corn
0.1 Amelanistic corn het carmel
2.1 Colombian Redtails
1.0 Hypo Colombian redtail
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Anery Kenyan sand boa
0.1 Normal Kenyan sand boa

There are # of " unexplainable " deaths in neonates when it comes to the reproductive biology of this and any other species of snake.

Most are associated with, expressed " lethal developmental anomalies ", which could cause death and or deformities before parturition occurs. These types are usually immediately evident after birth.

Since this occurred a considerable amount of time after the snakes birth.

I would think the death was caused by some type of environmental condition(s) and or some type of organ failure, which expresses it self as the animal matures.

Some developmental anomalies "allow" parturition to occur, but yet, kill the snake during the maturation of it's internal organs and or other biological "systems".

With no necropsy being performed, it is impossible to ascertain the cause of the animals "death".

Neonate BRB are very sensitive to dehydration.

I have lost "a few" due to a lack of knowledge on my part. This was directly related to their humidity requirements.

You may want to evaluate your husbandry techniques and be sure you are adhering to this species " special" requirements. Especially in regards to it's humidity requirements.

If all parameters appear appropriate. Lethal developmental anomalies could be the culprit. I also believe some neonates are not suited genetically for "survival" and are naturally culled by the circle of life in any given ecosystem. This insures only the "most fit" contribute to this animals gene pool. I have also had some neonates perish soon after a meal, as if something went wrong during the digestive process. This type of thing was not associated with improper meal size and or extremes ( suboptimal ) in environmental temperatures. They could be lost due to improperly sized prey being offered. ( being too large to be adequately digested before putrefaction occurs. ) This could cause vomiting and spontaneous death due to the fragility of the species. ( stress induced )

When Adult, the "humidity requirements" considerably change. Humidity, although important for proper shedding etc...is not as critically important to the animals survival. ( they are not as sensitive to dehydration when they hit adulthood. ).

So the " reason " could be " genetic flaws " and or " improper husbandry practices ".

Hope this helps, and or, at the very least eases your mind.
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Thanks,

Frank Roberts
Roberts' Realm Of Reptile Research

I only lose babies that are stillborn or born with observable defects. With the recent hotter weather I would suspect your cage temperatures may have come up. Have a look to make sure the little ones have access to an area of their cage with temperature in the low 70s.
Jeff

>>I had a litter of 13 baby BRBs on May 7th. I just found 2 of them dead. I was wondering if anyone else has babies die this far after birth.
>>-----
>>1.1 Motley het butter corns
>>0.1 Snow corn
>>0.1 Okeetee corn
>>1.0 Anery mutt corn
>>0.1 Stripe Ghost corn
>>0.1 Amelanistic corn het carmel
>>2.1 Colombian Redtails
>>1.0 Hypo Colombian redtail
>>1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
>>1.0 Anery Kenyan sand boa
>>0.1 Normal Kenyan sand boa

So far (knock's on wood) I've not had any problems that were not evident at birth. I've noticed a total of 4 babies born with birth defects:

Two in 2004 with tail kinks, both were able to feed and defecate w/out problem for several months. Neither was a severe kink.

One in 2005 with a slightly deformed lower jaw. Was able to feed OK, but did like it's prey a bit smaller. Again kept for several months to ensure was OK.

One in 2006 with only one eye, named it Una. Kept her also for several months to ensure she was viable.

All four were eventually sold as pets for a discounted price with full disclosure of deformity in sales ad and/or discussions.

All the rest have thrived in my care. Unfortunately I do know that some have expired at the hands of others, mistakes in care, non secure caging, put in cage where other animals had mysteriously died etc.

That part sucks as well, knowing this lil baby snake you were a big part of bringing into this world is no longer with us. OK, by big part all I did was introduce it's parents and manipulated environmental conditions. But it's all part of being a breeder, gotta take the highs along with the lows!!

Have you checked all your environmental factors? Temps, Humidity, wher do your feeders come from? etc. ???
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
21.29 BRB
19.19 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Wow, only one eye? Do you have a picture of that?

Not a good pic but yeah..

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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
21.29 BRB
19.19 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Sorry to hear about that and I don't know anything about raising babies but were they separated in individual tubs or two to a tub out of curiosity?
Bob

Well this tragedy was my fault I am sure. I allowed the water bowls to go dry in a few of the tubs. I have each snake in it's own shoebox. This is a mistake that I have learned from with my first litter and also it will never happen again. I just hate that I caused the death of two beautiful animals.
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1.1 Motley het butter corns
0.1 Snow corn
0.1 Okeetee corn
1.0 Anery mutt corn
0.1 Stripe Ghost corn
0.1 Amelanistic corn het carmel
2.1 Colombian Redtails
1.0 Hypo Colombian redtail
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Anery Kenyan sand boa
0.1 Normal Kenyan sand boa

Yeah, that will definately do it. That really does blow but learn from it. I check my babies daily and the water bowls get cleaned as dirtied AND once every week or two I go through and clean them all just to be safe. (most get cleaned once or twice a week during normal cleaning) I use these water bowls from superior enterprises. They work great.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
21.29 BRB
19.19 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Dave, what's the purpose or use of the lid with a hole in it on those water bowls you linked to? or do you just not use the lids?

Thanks again,

Sean.

The lid is to help prevent spillage. If the bowl were to tip, not all would spill. AND, I believe with the smaller hole, less preasure is placed on the rim while the snake is getting in and out and therefore less likely to tip over. Trust me, the snakes seem to have no problem finding their way in and out. Just like adults and even more so, I find them soaking and quite often they use the bowl as a toilet bowl.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
21.29 BRB
19.19 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

lol good to know. I keep forgetting that there are thing's I haven't had to deal with since my pair only rarely if ever soak. I've seen the female soak twice and the male never. Although they might do it more in the near future as both of those times with the female was within the last month so maybee as the girth increases so is her desire to soak.

Thanks for the explanation Dave.

Sean.