Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I had a clutch of 16 eggs hatch week of Aug 8-12. All looked really good cept the little runt. He had a hard time getting out of his egg so I cut the opening a little bigger so he could come out on his own. Once he was out noticed he had a kink at the vent / tail area. His hemipenis were exposed...(they have since fallen off).

He's been active since he hatched considering he doesn't seem to have use of his tail, nor he doesn't seem to be able to poo on his own. I've been helping with that part too

I tried f/t, live over night in paper bag, teased feeding for a month before I decided to try an force feed him becasue he was getting so thin. Managed to get a small rat tail in him.

Today tried a pinky head but no interest. So forced a little bit of rat tail in him again.

Has anyone had a runt like this? I want him to survive...I just wish he would eat on his own.

Just my opinion, and I don't mean to be harsh. I would humanely euthanize him, since he has so much going against him. If he had use of his tail, no problems defecating, etc, I would be more inclined to try.

I had one last year that I force fed mouse tails, but he still didn't make it. Sometimes it is best to concentrate your efforts on the healthy ones.

Good luck with him whatever you decide.
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Kent

1.1 Hypo (het lavender, striped) corn snakes, 2010
1.2 Gray-banded king snakes, blairs phase, 2008
0.0.18 Gray-banded king snakes, 2011
1.1 Oregon rubber boas, w/c 2000 and something

Colossians 3:17

It's hard to give up on them, I know. It isn't your fault, you didn't make him the way he is and you really don't want to raise a snake that has to have assistance pooping. Sounds as tho his lower body is paralyzed. You really don't want to help him poop for 15 years or so do you? I would let him go.
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Amy Claiborne

Don't let them take your wasted time. J.T.

to be honest, this is only prolonging his agony. If it were a mammal it would probably be whimpering through all this.

It would really be best if you just put it in a deli cup and set it in the freezer. They do not feel any pain with this method at all, their metabolism simply gradually slows down to nothing after a while. They are always just coiled in the cup like nothing ever happened too.

I know it sucks, but it is really best for the snake with all that is wrong with it. It will not suffer in the freezer at all.

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

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