Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My bull snake eggs are pipping today, day 64 (except for one that was found out and about yesterday).

One egg had rolled off the pile and appeared to be upside down, so I righted it, I thought, but then noticed a little opening on what I thought was the bottom, so I turned it back over. Checked on them several hours later and no progress on that one, so I cut it open a bit more and found the yoke sack. I guess the little guy in the egg beneath it cut into that egg also while pipping and then it rolled off.

Anyway, I opened it up and the little guy was alive under the yoke, so I kinda turned it around a bit so it could get some air and put it in a bowl in the box with the others.

What would you have done? Should I have put it back in with the open side down and left it up to the baby to pip normally? I think all the liquid would have run out.

Baby snakes are so precious, I hate losing one.

Amy C.

as long as you didnt pull it out i think itll be ok, but thats just me

You did fine. If the hatchling is healthy and moving around and slitting his shell it really doesn't matter too much where stuff is. I would just cut a large slit across the top of the egg. The "fluid running out" is not a concern, he doesn't need it anymore.

Just never actually pull them from the egg and you should be fine.

The baby has sucked up most of the yolk, only a thin string left. Hopefully it will be moving around the box when I get home this evening. It is out of the egg, but still in the bowl with its yolk.

It is not uncommon for babies to come out of the egg with some yolk still hanging. Especially if the clutch has been disturbed while hatching. Just keep him on some damp paper towels for a day or two until the yolk is either absorbed or falls off.

others now - can't tell which one it is.

Yay!

Congratulations ShadyLady!
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Todd Hughes