Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Cutting eggs? The only point I see to cutting eggs is if you have an egg that hasn't pipped yet and all the rest are out of the egg. I see too many cases where people are cutting their eggs on day 50-55. Is it because people are too eager and can't wait the extra few days for them to hatch on their own? I don't mean to offend anyone so please take no offense.

It does not happen very often but some do not have an egg tooth and can not get out of the egg.I prefer to cut my eggs at 50 days and have since 2003 without incident.I will point out my incubater is in my home and I have never had a problem with flys in my egg boxes.I dont push this ,if anyone thinks I am wrong so be it.Most will do what works best for them anyway.Terry

I had a friend that lost several eggs in one clutch. He found a bunch of partial slits but the snakes were not able to make it out completely. After that he decided to cut every clutch and has done so for years now without incidence. He cuts not because he is impatient but to make sure he doesn't lose a snake in the same manner again.
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Ryan Sherman
Scottsdale, Arizona
www.ThePaintedPython.com

Did you ever peek at your Xmas presents?
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Matt Lerer
Ghi Reptiles

Yes I did sneek a peek at my christmas presents when I was a kid. And I won't deny the fact that I am excited to see what hatches out.

Since many of you seem to be in favor of cutting eggs, besides candling the egg when or before cutting to make sure you don't cut the baby, what other tips or advice would you give to anyone who decides to cut at day 50-55?

I used to hatch a lot of Burmese, probably 10,000 over the years. Baby Burmese can slit the egg and then go back inside and drown. This happens when an egg is full of fluid and an air space doesn't form in the egg when slit. This happened a lot to me at the first, I started cutting eggs and drain the excess fluid so there is an air space for the snake to breath.

Mike

this is probably the only time I have read of a actual reason why slitting an egg is beneficial...most reasons are just 'so they can hatch for sure' or 'so I know what I have'

Having no egg tooth is a good one too...though how often do snakes not have their egg tooth? Does it just not develop? or does it fall off too soon?
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PHLdyPayne

Not trying to sound like a know it all,but I have been hatching eggs since 1987 and one calco or ivory or any morph without an egg tooth in too many. I have had this happen in the past with corn snakes.Stop and think of the in-breeding going on with these snakes and maybe you wont be so quick to say how often can this happen.Terry

now first of all i have only had 4 clucth of ball eggs a total of 22 over the last 2 years. 8 eggs normal to pastel 10 eggs normal to mojave and 4 eggs normal to het albino.

I cut every egg at 54 days with my children present. I HAVE HAD 22 EGGS AND 22 HATCHLINGS ALL LIVE!

Is it bad no is always right NO. If you aren't well versed and sure handed DONT do it!

Just my take! will I always be 100 NOT AT ALL. this is just my opinion!

good luck to all!

Paul
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R.I.P Steve "croc hunter" Erwin Sept 2006

I agree with you 100% . But one thing has come to mind , how are the one that are cutting cutting there eggs , are they doing as I have seen in a lot of pic.s were they cut a small circle off the top or are they cutting how the snake would cut and just cut a small slit , when I have eggs that don’t pip I just cut a small slit and if they are mint to come out they will . David

Truth is generally the best vindication against slander
Abraham Lincoln.