Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As this baby was hatching, we noticed an odor that is still there (it's out of the shell now, but still has its yolk sac). The best way to describe the odor is maybe that it smells like rubber or some petroleum-type material ...? It doesn't smell like mold, decay, or anything like that. There had been a little bit of a greenish spotting here & there. So far the baby seems OK. I've separated it from the other eggs, keeping it moist, and the yolk sac is getting smaller.

Does this sound like something to be concerned about? As far as I know, there were no leaks or breaks in the shell. (I'm a retired OB nurse, and the first thing that crossed my mind when I saw the greenish stuff was meconium staining as in a newborn infant -- I know that's way off track, but that's what it reminded me of)

The 2nd egg is hatching, but I'm not detecting an odor from it.

... no replies yet, so thought an update was in order. So far the baby in question is alive and the yolk sac is being absorbed. I was concerned initially that it was somewhat listless, but when I peeked in on it this morning it responded like I was a giant predator and it wanted to get away.

The 2nd baby is still in the shell, but its head is sticking out and it seems OK. It looks like it still has a large yolk sac, so maybe it's not quite ready to immerge.

The other 2 eggs still show signs of life, but no pipping yet.