Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I couldn't wait anymore and cut my first clutch last night, at Day 54. I nipped a vein or 2 on 2 of the eggs. I've done this before and it's proven to be no big deal. I'm not really worried or anything. Just curious if anyone knows why it's not exactly the "ideal" thing to have happen when cutting. I assume it somewhat diminishes their link to the yolk?

By the way, the clutch is 4 Cinnies and 3 normals. Can't be 100% positive yet, but I see distinct black stripes on the backs of the normals. I think she proved out. Can't wait till they're out so I can get a better look. Very strong possibility I've got a genetic recessive black back.

Look for the video of Prehistoric Pets cutting open retic eggs, I think on you tube. He can cut 20 or so in as many seconds, it looks like a chef cutting fruit.
Mike

Just a thought here...maybe i am an idiot...but couldn't you candle the eggs to see where the veins are BEFORE you go cutting?...maybe you could avoid the veins

That's what I did - I drew a line with a pencil where it was clear. Didn't cut any veins...

At such an advanced stage, veins really aren't going to matter at that point. They'll bleed, but they have already served their purpose and the animal doesn't need them anymore.

Plus, they aren't really veins. Veins, in real life, are blue and carry low-oxygen blood from the body back to the heart.

The red stringy-things in Ball eggs are just blood vessels that have probably already done all they need to do to get the baby to hatching size...

usually when they pip on their own they cut a vein or two ...no biggie
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when life hands you lemons, make super lemons, bumblebees, etc...

Well, when I've done it on much smaller colubrid eggs, the hatchling generally dies. But when I've done it to much larger python eggs nothing has ever happened. I would imagine that losing a couple of drops of blood in a body the size of a hatchling corn snake is a pretty substantial loss, whereas losing a couple of drops of blood in a body the size of a hatchling ball python is no big deal.

Thanks for the different perspective.