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yet one more question about babies....

mmfh Mar 28, 2008 10:42 PM

My eggs were at 70 days. I've breed snakes before so i was getting worried the hatchlings were going to suffocate. they were incubated at 78 degrees in moist peat. Tonight i cut small holes in the two eggs.....of course disturbing them. Both babies wiggled out very quickly. So far so good i guess. Upon looking more closely at the eggs i discovered there was still a small amount of yolk left in them. Maybe 1 cc but the babies didn't drag any unbilical cord behind them when they came out. If these are premature how should i treat them? For now i've left them in the incubating container. Any help would be appreciated.

Replies (7)

Severa Mar 28, 2008 11:07 PM

Ha! Congrats! I doubt they would be premature especially on day 70. Even at the lowest temps they come out between 68-74 days. What were your temps?
It is normal for there to be fluid left in the eggs. I have never piped a gecko egg but I do for my ball python clutches. I know of folks doing it with beardy eggs as well.
Anyhow, you will notice that they may look kind of shiny or wrinkly or looking like they are in a bad shed (see pic below). Sometimes it is left over egg matter. If by the time they start to dry, they look like their movements are being restricted, that left over film is usually the culprit. Put them in a little moist container and they will do the rest usually in a couple of hours. If not, you can swab it off. Put something in the moist environment they can rub on. Also get them to temps in the mid 70's.
All the same, put them in a miniature enclosure and give them some security places. Make sure the humidity levels are adequate for shedding because they will be really soon.

Keep us informed and take some pics! Congrats again! Super exciting stuff!

Severa

Severa Mar 28, 2008 11:10 PM

Scratch the temp question...completely missed that in your original post....

mmfh Mar 28, 2008 11:31 PM

My babies look almost exactly like those in ur picture . I've left them in the egg container. It is filled with really moist peat and they have a hide to go under. They didn't look too bad but they were moving fast and i didn't linger long so i wouldn't stress them. Would it be okay to leave them where they are, the temp in there is 76 to 78? or is that too hot? there is one egg in there as well. I'm so excited thank you for responding.

Severa Mar 28, 2008 11:43 PM

Those temps are fine. I always get them into a clean environment asap. I feel safer when they are not subjected to egg matter longer than they need to be as organics don't take long to breakdown/promote bacterial growth.
The other egg that is in there...is it from the next clutch and has yet to hatch? If so, those babies bouncing around in there risk turning that egg and potentially killing it. I would seperate them out if that is the case.

Severa

warnersister Mar 29, 2008 02:08 AM

yikes! slitting crested eggs that haven't pipped yet is never a good idea. crested eggs have been known to incubate up to 159 days. during this time of year, mine usually take around 90. lots of people report periods of around 120 days at low temps. even if your temps were 78 the whole time, the gecko wasn't ready to come out if it hadn't pipped yet. also, there really shouldn't be much fluid left in the egg. a few people have done this only to have the baby die within a couple of days or weeks. i really hope your little ones make it. maybe a little more patience next time...

on the other hand, if an egg pips and the baby is not out within a short period of time (can't remember exactly how long), it is best to help it out so that it doesn't drown.
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4.1 snakes, 4.6.1 crested geckos, 0.1 gargoyle gecko, 0.0.2 red-eyed tree frogs, 2.0 devon rex cats, 1.0 betta, 0.1 sun conure, 1.0 lovebird

mike1234 Mar 31, 2008 12:05 AM

i must disagree with you severa. i know of someone whos eggs are incubated at 66 to 68, and these take up to 90 days to hatch out. the great thing is these guys are massive, almost double the size of the ones hatching between 60 and 75. theyre also some of the healthiest ive ever seen.

Severa Mar 31, 2008 09:53 AM

Ok, Please allow me to re-word then.......In my experience,
even at the lowest temps they come out between 68-74 days.

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