Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My friend just hatched out a litter of 13 baby corns. They all look really health, execpt one, that hatched last.

He's totally different than his sibs. He's striped, smaller, and seems to have a crippled tail. It's got a curl in it. He's also got what looks like a scratch/cut on his underbelly. Looking around their tank, i can't figure out what he could have cut himself on... and he's got something in his vent. (i'm thinking is part of the ambilical cord or something...)

He seems alert and active... I'm not sure if's he's eaten yet, he'll be offered food either tonight or tomarrow.

I feel sorry for the little guy. I figure no one going to want to buy him, so i might take him, but i really don't want to start working with him, and get attached, only to watch him die. So from what i've discribed, has anyone had any experaince with something like this? What signs should i watch for to give me a clue to see if he may grow into a heathly snake, his tail being his only deformaty, or if it's just the tip of the ice burg and he's a lost cause.

Any help is much apprecatied.

EX

Sometimes you just get deformed hatchlings. The tail is curved probably because it is kinked. This shouldn't hurt it's chances to live at long as it's just the tail and not before the vent. Even if it does have a kink before the vent, it might be able to make it.

The scratch is probably the equivalent to our bellybutton. You probably just didn't notice it on the other snakes because they are just a tad older than this one.

As far as something at the vent. It could be a prolapse of some sort. Like a prolased hemipenis or part of the intestine. This is the part that would concern me the most. Whatever it is, keep an eye on it, to see if it goes away on it's own. Try to keep the area moist too if at all possible, b/c if it is a prolapse and it dries out, then it would be very damaging for the snake.

I would say though, to at least try to save it. For the first few months (if it makes it that long), just keep telling yourself that it may not make it. It will probably make it easier to lose it, if it does die.

Also, you could take it to a vet, and they should be able to give you some idea of it's chances. Or if you don't want to spend the money on it, if you know of any breeders in the area (besides your friend), you might want to take it to them to see if they can help you.

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alstiver@hotmail.com

1.0 '01 Hypo snow cornsnake (Tesla)
0.1 '02 Ghost (pastel) cornsnake (Banshee)
1.1 '02 Bloodred cornsnakes (Desi and Luci Too)
0.0.3 Goldfish (Kabuki, Isamu, and Yuki)
1.0 American Eskimo mutt (Rusty)

why waste money on a vet bill?....

sounds prolapsed to me too....

.........cobra food........I got a bag full of them....

and a friend has king cobras that just hatched and will appreciate it....

yep

.......sounds gone....

JYReptiles