Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I never had hatchlings but...

For the "never help it" tip, you maybe crack it by night while this cute little sleeps. I mean that you should just crack the egg somehow the lizard could finish the job. Then, it will think it got out by itself and act like the others. (Human opinion)

And as I can see, "succion" may be a problem. If air is caught all around the body its demands more energy to get out. Make sure theres a hole on the opposite site of the hatchling collaris. (Physical opinion)

Other opinion could be that its glued here. Could it be a good idea to use water ? But water can increase succion problem if the egg isnt broke the other way. (Inquisitive opinion)

EXTRA calcium we give to mothers of the hatchlingt make the egg thicker that it is normally in nature and therfore much more harder for the baby to break.
(Philosof opinion)
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Alex & Marie-Ève

Hi Lauren,

I am inclined to say that your neonate collared has been in its egg long enough; you need to assit its emergence. In the past, I have had clutches of inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticepts) that contained specimens that were attached to the calcified portion of the egg and were unable to hatch on their own. A few times, the animals were found to be attached by an important organ and twisted themselves inside the egg attempting to escape, thus resulting in death due to organ damage.

Most reptiles spend some time in the egg (once the head has emerged) absorbing as much of that critical yolk before they decide to leave their confinement; my animals are usually out within 12 hours. I would suggest cutting the shell around the animal, rather than "pulling" it out of its shell. Doing this willl prevent you from damaging any attached organs (in the event they are in fact attached). Sometimes unabsorbed yolk is attached (instead of organs), which can then be "cut" and the lizard released.

Good luck, and keep us posted!!

Fabián
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Fabián Aguirre
Zookeeper/ Freshwater Aquarist
Department of Herpetology and Freshwater Biology
The Dallas World Aquarium
(214) 720-2224
fabian@dwazoo.com
www.dwazoo.com

Thanks for the replys!

I actually ended up helping the little guy out of the egg earlier this afternoon. He was trying SO hard to get out on his own, but he couldn't because the egg was so hard and dried up. The egg was stuck to the top of his back, so I sprayed some water on the egg, and VERY GENTLY and slowly peeled it off.
The water helped, and once I peeled part of the egg back, the little guy was finally able to come out.
There was actually a noticeable line all the way around the lizard where the remaining half of the egg had been attached to the lower half of it's body..
The little guy seems to be doing pretty well now, but I think there is something wrong with his leg. When he walks, he keeps one of his back legs folded up... I think he was probably laying on it or something for the last few days while he was in the egg (or maybe it was stuck to the egg) but I'm praying and hopeing that it will be ok after he walks around, and stretches it out for awhile...
I'll keep ya all posted!

Thanks sooo much for your help and replies!
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-Lauren

~ Lauren's Lizards ~