Reptile & Amphibian Forums

To pip or not to pip? That is the question.
My cal king eggs began to hatch very early yesterday morning while I was asleep. When I woke up there were 2 little heads poking out. One of them came out mid-afternoon yesterday, the other just a little while ago today. Late last night a third of the 8 eggs slit and a not long after a little head appeared, that one has yet to emerge.
There are 5 healthy looking eggs left that have not yet slit/pipped. Should I be concerned? Should I leave them alone or go ahead and pip them myself? And if not now, when should I do so if they don't make any move on their own?

This is my third year breeding kingsnakes, and neither of the previous 2 clutches that I've had took quite this long to pip, and all ended up hatching out just fine within a 3 day period without any help from me.
Thanks!
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(i)Klaatu...Verata...Nichtu!(/i)

I would not worry. Feel the eggs and if they are getting soft they will sure enough come through for you. It usually takes 2 to 3 days for a clutch to hatch. If the clutch is all stuck to one another then I usually have the top ones hatch first then the ones on bottom. Is this the case for you? All five should be just fine and you should post pics as soon as you get em. Show em off!
Later,
John Lassiter

Indeed, they are all stuck together, the 2 top ones hatched first, and the 3rd was the only loose one in the bunch this time. There are 2 others that are certainly starting to visibly soften, the others still seem very firm though.
Thanks for the advice and I most certainly will post the little buggers once they're all here and shed
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"Klaatu...Verata...Nicht--cough, cough, cough!"