So! I have some really great news and some not so great news. The great news is that every single baby in this clutch has now had their first meal with no tricks or trouble! Such a relief and I’m so excited. Let me share some photos of the ones who ate tonight.
Now the not so great news. Daikon, the cinder baby who hatched from the nasty moldy egg is defective. One or two kinks in the lower body and moderate to severe neurological issues. When I try to hold him, he panicks and contorts his body in very weird ways. His head and neck shake in an unusual way. Anyway, I’ve been trying a few different things with him, seeing if he rights himself if placed upside down (he does), seeing how well he can climb (pretty well as long as I’m not touching him). And now tonight I tested whether he would eat on his own. Which he did! With zero hesitation or issues. The next test will be whether he’s able to digest normally. If he does and seems to be growing and not in pain (which is so hard to gauge in a snake ), then I’ll let him live, either with me as a special needs buddy or possibly in a pet only home. Anyway, here he is with full tummy.
Thanks! I will let you guys know what happens with him. He seems mostly fine if I’m not touching or handling him. He had his first shed without help and now he ate without help. But he gets weird when he’s stressed. So we’ll see.
I think it’s clear that either the mold or the athlete’s foot powder on his egg caused him to have these issues. I just don’t know which, so if I get a moldy egg again in the future, I’m not sure if I’ll even bother treating it or just let nature take its course.
Congratulations on all the full tummies! That’s always very exciting.
I’m sorry that little Daikon is having problems. I know that you are wise in the ways of caring for them and will do the right thing for him. Eating is an encouraging sign, at least.
And then we also have Ballista, Lance, and Katana. So five out of nine ate immediately tonight. I’ll give the other four another half hour or so, then reheat their pinkies.
), then I’ll let him live, either with me as a special needs buddy or possibly in a pet only home. Anyway, here he is with full tummy.
