Reptile & Amphibian Forums

good and bad news.
well,
10 of my eggs hatched with six snows and four anerys looking good and healthy.
Unfortunately three babies didn't make it. They managed to make one little slit in thier eggs but after five or six days I saw mold start to grow on them so checked them out and the little babies were dead.
One egg hasn't piped or anything yet. But, it hasn't gotten moldy or anything so I will watch it for a while longer.
I don't really have any idea why the babies didn't make it.
Obviously conditions were identical for all fourteen eggs.
I guess it could have to do with the parents both being first timers, I don't know.
I hope I can get some pics of the babies some time today or tomorrow.
The only thing that has me concerned is what do I change for the next clutch?
I can't put my finger on why they didn't make it so I just don't know what to do.
Oh well, I am happy for the ten
Jimmy
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Remember, My posts are MY opinion only!
Jimmy (draybar)

Could be temps, moisture, humidity, poor air flow, genetics, etc etc. Point is there are so many environmental factors that you'll go crazy if you try to understand what happened. Sometimes its just meant to be. All you can do is try your best and follow all the successful methods that others have tested and provided. Simply keep on trying and hope for the best next time. If you are really concerned then you could try a different incubation method. There are some home-made designs out there that people say result in over 90% hatching success rate. Good Luck with the babies and post pics soon.
Peace,
Jason
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www.members.aol.com/northeastsnakes

Jimmy,

That is the natural selection. If they would have hatched they probably would have never eaten for you or they would have eaten but they would not be able to digest their food. Or what ever... you get the picture. I think you did a great job on you first eggs. 10 babies is great to start with.
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Marcel Poots (Holland)
'Where is your crown King Nothing?' James Hettfield

>>thanks,
At least I do know the parents can successfully reproduce.
That is a great start. Maybe next year I will brumate them and see if that helps!
I promise to get pictures up soon....lol
Jimmy

I would guess they probably weren't strong enough to break through the egg, and likely wouldn't do well if you had helped them out either. Like Marcel said, Natural selection, you got 10 healthy babies, and maybe one more, so I would say that's a good number for a first timer to have. And since so many did hatch out fine, I would say don't fret over the next clutches, just do what you did this time, and hopefully the next babies will all be stronger than this clutches non-hatchers
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Dianne
AKA IcedGoddess
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