Reptile & Amphibian Forums

whats next ? i have two premature babies that are still alive ... after i tie off the umbilical cords with fishing line and then cut right after it... then what ? do i leave the fishing line on ? will it heal with it on? and also how far back should i be cutting the cords? any help is appreciated ...

Thanks !

about two-three inches away from the body should be fine, not too closer to avoid injury, not too far either.

after it's cut and tied, most of the energy will be spent on processing what's already in the snake, rather than trying to pull from the rest that was attached. this should be far less stressful on the animal.

make sure it is in a warm enclosure, which will help stimulate the snake and raise the metabolism to help absorb and digest whatevers still there.

the umbilical should heal quickly, usually drying up and falling off in a few days with normal movement on the snakes part.

keep him warm, moist, with little to no stress and distraction and things should be fine.

i find keeping them with the others gives them more umph to move around and get better, rather than to just sit there and succumb.

i'm sure others will have more to add.

take care, Joe
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Thanks and take care - Joe Rollo
'Tis not the stongest of the species that will eventually survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change' Charles Darwin

I know for certain they should be in a sweater or shoe box 88* damp paper towels. Like Joe said don't tie off too close to the body. I've kept my babies together until after first shed. Seems like they help stimulate each other, for lack of better words. Haven't kept premies with others though,so can't comment.
. . . . . . Lar M
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Boas By Klevitz