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I have a Pardalis Pardalis Leopard tortoise hatchling (trying to be a hatchling) that has just started hatching but has not made any progress in about a day and half. The little guy made a small hole in the egg, but no further progress and the shell does not seem to have softened at all. Should I just be patient?, is he at risk?, is there any point at which it would be ok to help him along a bit? Never had this happen before.
Thanks,
Ben
As long as the nose is at the hole... leave it alone.
Normally a tortoise will sit in the egg until all the yolk is taken in. Leopards are notorious for hatchling early with the yolk not fully taken. I think it is a good thing the tortoise remains in the egg until it is totally ready to hatch.
>>I have a Pardalis Pardalis Leopard tortoise hatchling (trying to be a hatchling) that has just started hatching but has not made any progress in about a day and half. The little guy made a small hole in the egg, but no further progress and the shell does not seem to have softened at all. Should I just be patient?, is he at risk?, is there any point at which it would be ok to help him along a bit? Never had this happen before.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Ben
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care
Thanks EJ, the only thing is that the nose is not in the hole. Does that change your advise?
Nope. What was the outcome?
>>Thanks EJ, the only thing is that the nose is not in the hole. Does that change your advise?
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care
I agree the hatchling should be left in the egg to absorb it's yolk. If it were me i would widen the break through in the egg a bit to make sure the carapace is upright. I have had the thick gelatin fluid present problems in the past if the hatchling is tilted in the egg. Have even tilted the egg and used a paper towel to help remove some of the slimy gelatin fluid from the egg during the period of yolk absorption....Good luck and let us know how it works out...Richard
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Richard -amazoa-
"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."
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