Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This guy never made it. I slit the egg and he was suprisingly alive but couldn't come out. I see why as he was fused in 2 areas. It happens, thought I'd share

thanks
mgl

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np

What are your theories behind this kind of mutation/deformity?

I had this happen to me as well, only with Hondurans by the way. The only two factors I felt could have contributed to this deformity was too high incubation temperature or an unseen parasite.

What do you all think?

Has anyone seen this occur in other milks or kings?

-Rusty

Hi

I had the same thing that happened to me this year with a honduran and a cape gopher clutch. In both instances the eggs were adhered to an egg that eventually molded late in the incubation period. I suspect that the mold could have caused the abnormalities by releasing toxins or septic fluid into the neighboring eggs (think of the snake egg shell's permeability) affecting the proper development of the hatchling. I checked out the deformed snake's egg and there was area black spot inside where the eggs were adhered to each. I have a strong feeling that is the case but I've been told and read that mold "should not" affect healthy eggs. But there could also be other factors involved such as temperature, genetics, etc. So it alse depends on what other factors and conditions are involved. Just a thought.
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Jonel @ Selective Propagations
www.spsnakes.com

I too have had a hatchling come out fused together, but it was a cal king rather than a honduran. What I thought was strange was that it was the only normal that hatched out of the clutch, whereas the rest were albinos. Some have said that they believe albinism to be a gene that weakens an animal. It seems more probable that it would have been an albino than a normal. One thing is for sure though, I hope it never happens again. It is the saddest thing when you have to euthenise an animal before it even gets a chance to live.
Bari