Hello Friends! I had a successful 9-egg clutch hatch out on 10/2/24. Eight are very healthy, but No. 9 had a twin embryo that never developed - so he’s a runt and underweight. Additionally, he hatched out with prolapsed hemipenes, which I have already taken him to the vet for. At this point, I’ve managed to feed him two pinky mice - but I have to help him get started. My biggest concern is that he still has not had his first shed. Humidity levels in his enclosure are extremely high (above 80%), so that is definitely not the issue (all 8 other hatchlings have shed out - so this is likely related to his condition). Should I just wait a little longer and hope he sheds naturally or would you all recommend additional veterinary care? Here’s a photo of my little guy for reference:
Yeah I’m not sure. I’ll let some other people give you feedback because I don’t really have any experience with that. But welcome to the Community! I’ll tag a few for you.
I believe I’ve read other’s having that problem here. I think they simply waited for the next shed to happen. I’m sure others who experienced this will chime in.
Work with corns rather than BPs but did want to share my experiences. I’ve had a few sets of twins, including one such as you describe. The surviving baby in that case was also very small, with a bit of an attached umbilical stalk after hatching. She was slower about her initial sheds and other metrics. She did develop all right. It took time, extra care, tiny meals, but she got through the early iffy weeks. Wishing you and your baby good luck.
Unfortunately I don’t have hands-on experience with this issue as none of my babies have ever had shed problems and I’ve never hatched out twins, the only thing I can really offer is to wait it out. Keep the humidity up, give him some stuff that he can rub his body against, make sure he stays hydrated and if he doesn’t shed out on his next cycle I’d try to assist him.
You gotta remember that these guys are babies, yes they came out of the egg with all the instincts they need to survive but some take longer to figure it out than others do. Just like with hatchlings that take longer to get on feed.
On another note that baby looks absolutely incredible! I hope he manages to pull through 
What is the pairing?
Thanks for the helpful comment! I will continue to wait it out and see what happens. The little guy is hanging in there. If I can get him through the next month I think he’s got a good chance of surviving and thriving. Also, thanks for the compliment! His parents were Pastel Enchi Fire YB (Male) x Pastel Vanilla (Female). I’m pretty sure he is Pastel Enchi YB. Both parents were high-quality expressions of their genes - and I agree, he’s a banger, especially for simple codominant genes! Would love your input if you have a better idea on his ID. Here are his siblings for reference:
Add images here
I hatched out a tiny hatchling with a similar start. Undeveloped twin, didn’t absorb the yolk properly and just tiny (around 30g). I assist feed a newborn mouse pink as soon as she left the egg.
She definitely took longer to shed than her siblings. Not quite as long as your little one. Hopefully soon!
We honestly can’t know what’s up with these little guys and can only address what we know is going on. I really have my fingers crossed that he just needs a little more time. 
Welcome to the community! And welcome to the world, little babies! What a stunning little guy! I love that headstamp.
Agree with the others. Sounds like you’re doing everything right and will just take a bit more time. I’ve never bred bps or any other creature for that matter, but I put a lot of trust in everyone commenting above because they definitely know what they’re talking about. Keep us posted!
I’ve had a couple of babies over the years that didn’t have a first shed. Basically they just ate on the same schedule as the others and pretty much shed around the time the siblings had their second sheds. You will see the eyes start to blue up when it goes into shed. Try not to stress. It is just one of the joys of breeding baby ball pythons. I look forward to seeing it when it has shed.
The entire clutch is stellar but yeah that little guy is just stunning! 
I’ve had one or two not go through that initial shed cycle. When that happens I don’t do anything different and they end up shedding out approximately when the others are going through their second shed cycle. They’ve always ate and behaved normally otherwise. I wouldn’t sweat it!
For anyone who wants an update: Unfortunately, Mr. Runt did not make it. He developed a respiratory infection and just didn’t have the strength to pull through after a round of antibiotics. Very sad to lose such a cute little guy, but I guess I’m learning that this can be a hard part of the breeding process. All 8 of the other babies are getting on extremely well and have taken 4-5 meals already. Thank you all for your help and support - Mr. Runt will be missed! 
Awe no 
I’m so sorry for your loss!
It definitely sucks to lose hatchlings… just try not to beat yourself up over it though. These things will happen eventually when breeding any animal and given that he was on antibiotics you tried your best to make sure the little one had a chance. I’ve lost a handful of hatchling Kingsnakes since I started breeding back in 2020 with unknown causes (most likely internal defects that happened during development) but they always passed suddenly with no prior indication of issues.
Just remember that he is no longer suffering, and that his siblings are healthy. I wish you luck with them!
Wow that’s a tough break for you and the little one too. But as @noodlehaus said in so many words, you did the best you could. Sometimes nature has different plans than we do that we don’t have much say over.
This is a part of breeding that most people don’t consider until it happens to them. Just try to keep concentrating on all of your other beautiful healthy babies. God bless you.
So sorry for your loss. It can be really tough sometimes and things don’t always go how we hope.
The little one at least had the best chance they could and that’s always something we should try for.
I lost a couple of hatchlings that just didn’t thrive this year as well. It feels like this year has been rough on many people.
I’m glad the other hatchlings all are doing well for you. That’s still really good to have the rest thriving.