Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can anyone share a link or a company that could sell me a nice pair of surgical scissors for cutting BP eggs. Any suggestions or help will be appreciated.

Bill
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2.1 Tripple Het Caramel, Orange Ghost, Genetic Stripe
1.0 Honeybee
1.1 Het Lavenders
1.1 Het Caramel Albino
0.1 Het Albino
0.1 Spider Het Albino
0.1 Het Pied
1,1 Pastel Het for Orange Ghost
1.0 Albino
0.1 Spinner
1.1 Super Pastel
0.1 Jungle Pastel
1.0 Pied 50 percent White
0.1 Clown
0.3 Normal
1.1 Kids
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Chocolate Lab

I just use the ones you can get at any grocery or retailer that carries health and beauty products. The small ones that are used for trimming those hairs that grow in odd places. Some people use razor blades, but I prefer scissors. Just pinch the egg at the very top so you have a small fold and create an insertion cut. After that just place the lower blade in the slit and work your way around. There's several videos on youtube you can look at. Good Luck! Chris

You can pick up a pair of first aid scissors for like...$2.00 at Walmart. You don't need anything spectacular.
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

I use an X-acto blade! It works great!

Thank you for the help. I was told about the walmart type. I was just thinking about the longevity of the tool and that I can sterilize it easily.

Bill
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2.1 Tripple Het Caramel, Orange Ghost, Genetic Stripe
1.0 Honeybee
1.1 Het Lavenders
1.1 Het Caramel Albino
0.1 Het Albino
0.1 Spider Het Albino
0.1 Het Pied
1,1 Pastel Het for Orange Ghost
1.0 Albino
0.1 Spinner
1.1 Super Pastel
0.1 Jungle Pastel
1.0 Pied 50 percent White
0.1 Clown
0.3 Normal
1.1 Kids
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Chocolate Lab

They'll last just fine. It's not like you're cutting sandpaper or leather with them
Good luck!
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

Well,

I understand your point...But I have spent the last three years working towards producing Baby Balls. I just want to make sure that the cutting tool I use to cut my eggs is as good as I can find. I would hate to injure any of my snakes because I used an insufficient cutting tool. I was hoping to find a pair that had a rounded bottom for extra provided safety. Thanks for the reply.

Bill
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2.1 Tripple Het Caramel, Orange Ghost, Genetic Stripe
1.0 Honeybee
1.1 Het Lavenders
1.1 Het Caramel Albino
0.1 Het Albino
0.1 Spider Het Albino
0.1 Het Pied
1,1 Pastel Het for Orange Ghost
1.0 Albino
0.1 Spinner
1.1 Super Pastel
0.1 Jungle Pastel
1.0 Pied 50 percent White
0.1 Clown
0.3 Normal
1.1 Kids
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Chocolate Lab

type surgical scissors into your browser, I got several sites to choose from.
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This is courage.. to bear unflinching what heaven sends. -unknown

1.0 Basset Hound (Capone)
1.1 cats (San Quinton and Gracie)

Here's an idea! Why don't you let them "pip" on their own?

Because I have been told if they don't pip on there own they can die. And I do not want to cut them with something that can injure the snake. Would you say more people do allow them to pip and do not cut them. I thought most breeders cut the eggs at around 50 to 55 days? Thanks for the help.

Bill
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2.1 Tripple Het Caramel, Orange Ghost, Genetic Stripe
1.0 Honeybee
1.1 Het Lavenders
1.1 Het Caramel Albino
0.1 Het Albino
0.1 Spider Het Albino
0.1 Het Pied
1,1 Pastel Het for Orange Ghost
1.0 Albino
0.1 Spinner
1.1 Super Pastel
0.1 Jungle Pastel
1.0 Pied 50 percent White
0.1 Clown
0.3 Normal
1.1 Kids
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Chocolate Lab

i usually start cutting eggs once i see the first hatchling pop it's head out.

you really don't even need scissors....the closer it gets to hatching time the softer the egg shell gets....you can even lightly pinch the egg shell with both hands pull apart to lightly rip a hole in the egg shell.

when using scissors pinch the egg shell, cut a small hole at the fold of the pinch, insert one end of the scissor using the point of the blade to scrap the inside of the shell.....by doing this you cut the egg shell without cutting any veins.

when you see pics posted that are all bloody is because when they cut the shell they also cut the membrane and veins. sometimes the membrane will also detach from the inner egg shell walls and that makes it even easier.

good luck!

Pitoon

>>Because I have been told if they don't pip on there own they can die. And I do not want to cut them with something that can injure the snake. Would you say more people do allow them to pip and do not cut them. I thought most breeders cut the eggs at around 50 to 55 days? Thanks for the help.
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>>Bill
>>-----
>>2.1 Tripple Het Caramel, Orange Ghost, Genetic Stripe
>>1.0 Honeybee
>>1.1 Het Lavenders
>>1.1 Het Caramel Albino
>>0.1 Het Albino
>>0.1 Spider Het Albino
>>0.1 Het Pied
>>1,1 Pastel Het for Orange Ghost
>>1.0 Albino
>>0.1 Spinner
>>1.1 Super Pastel
>>0.1 Jungle Pastel
>>1.0 Pied 50 percent White
>>0.1 Clown
>>0.3 Normal
>>1.1 Kids
>>0.1 Spouse
>>1.0 Chocolate Lab
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Thanks,

That helps give me a very good visual. I will be candling next weekend and I should be able to see what I have coming out in another 3 weeks. Three years in the making and I think we are just about prepared for the new babies.

On a side note: Every time I think I am done spending money, I have to spend another grand on something. But so far I am getting so much out of this experience and I am going to have these awesome memories for a lifetime. I really appreciate the reply...

Regards or Chao,
Bill
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2.1 Tripple Het Caramel, Orange Ghost, Genetic Stripe
1.0 Honeybee
1.1 Het Lavenders
1.1 Het Caramel Albino
0.1 Het Albino
0.1 Spider Het Albino
0.1 Het Pied
1,1 Pastel Het for Orange Ghost
1.0 Albino
0.1 Spinner
1.1 Super Pastel
0.1 Jungle Pastel
1.0 Pied 50 percent White
0.1 Clown
0.3 Normal
1.1 Kids
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Chocolate Lab

Any good pair of cuticle scissors does the trick. I have a set that I took out of one of those little travel kits you get at a drug store or walmart type store, and have been using them for several years. I just disinfect them between each clutch.
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1.1 california kingsnake
1.1 kenyan sand boa
1.1 western hognose snake
0.1 albino checkered garter
1.0 florida blue garter
1.1 het anery red sided garter
1.1 reverse oketee corn snake
1.1 blood red corn snake
0.1 amel striped corn
1.0 amel 66% het striped corn
1.1 het albino ball python
1.1 het ghost ball python
0.1 spider ball python
1.0 pastel ball python
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0.1 ringer ball python
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Invertebrates
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1-Tanzanian Giant Tailless whipscorpion

Amphibians
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Birds:
1.1 red avadavit
2-blue breasted cordon blue
1.1-black cheeked waxbill
0.1-star finch
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2.0-owl finch
1.0-hybrid munia
0.1-White bellied caique

Fish
2-corydoras cats
1-African upside down cat

normal stuff
0.1 black lab

They have several videos, they are cutting retic eggs. It looks like a sushi chef going crazy with a razor blade. I'm not saying to try to cut like he does, but it lets you know it doesn't have to be as precise as you are making it out to be.

If you wait until some start to pip it will be time. If you cut a little slit you can reach in with the tips of the scissors and push the membrane down from the inside of the shell, then finish cutting a little hole about the size of a quarter, then LEAVE them alone. They don't need to be poked every few hours. Mike

That video has got to be the worst way to cut eggs, not a reference at all, that blade he uses also looks rusted, one would think incubating $20,000 in a single clutch, the dude could afford a decent pair of cuticle scissors!

DO NOT USE A BLADE...

Well. I said not to try it at home, just that it isn't brain surgery. Many just pull a slit with their fingers. Mike

I've got a pair that came out of a finger nail clipper kit that have rounded ends so you don't stab the inside of your nose or wherever else you have to clip.

Just go to Home Depot in the paint department and buy a pack of 100 single sided razor blades for about $10. No sterilizing needed. Just use a blade for 1 clutch and then throw it away. I have cut thousands of eggs with a razor blade and never hurt a baby in the process.

>>Can anyone share a link or a company that could sell me a nice pair of surgical scissors for cutting BP eggs. Any suggestions or help will be appreciated.
>>
>>Bill
>>-----
>>2.1 Tripple Het Caramel, Orange Ghost, Genetic Stripe
>>1.0 Honeybee
>>1.1 Het Lavenders
>>1.1 Het Caramel Albino
>>0.1 Het Albino
>>0.1 Spider Het Albino
>>0.1 Het Pied
>>1,1 Pastel Het for Orange Ghost
>>1.0 Albino
>>0.1 Spinner
>>1.1 Super Pastel
>>0.1 Jungle Pastel
>>1.0 Pied 50 percent White
>>0.1 Clown
>>0.3 Normal
>>1.1 Kids
>>0.1 Spouse
>>1.0 Chocolate Lab
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