Makes you think!
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Nature is harsh for sure, but I like to think it more merciful that if the embryo wasn’t going to make it, it passed before it could experience any sort of suffering.
That’s more or less my feelings on the matter. Better for it to pass peacefully before it’s fully formed and capable of feeling pain, for sure.
I certainly thought as much! Little thing was about 3" long, but so much of it was already developed or distinguishable! The weird little head and well developed eye can definitely come off as unnerving lol. If I had the equipment to do so, I probably would have tried preserving it as a wet specimen.
Thank you very much! Kimball’s clutch is 2 weeks away from being due and Ororo’s is past the half way mark. I CANNOT express how excited I am to start seeing them pip!
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In less grim news - here’s this week’s update!
Kimball’s clutch is now 13 days away from their due date and are looking good despite the fall they experienced almost 2 weeks ago!
These two are still nice and round with good veins
Meanwhile, there’s these two, who are starting to deflate a little but still showed good veins and a bit of movement. It’s my understanding that ball python eggs usually deflate as they get close to their hatch day, would 13 days prior to being due line up with that? They also have these patches - they’re not moldy, it’s more like the calcium in the egg has weakened, making a slightly more translucent patch in the egg wall. You can see it in the first image a little bit, the spot to the bottom right that looks more red with a darker spot in the center.
Lastly, there’s this one, which looks like the veins are weak but definitely has some good strong ones on the other side and has no indication of going bad.
All of them also showed movement, which is a huge relief.
As for Ororo’s clutch, the remaining 5 are doing amazing!
I wasn’t able to get decent pictures of three of them because the angle I’d have to hold my phone at isn’t comfortable, but I did get pics of these two and even a little bit of video!
These guys are past the halfway mark already, with about 3 1/2 weeks to go before they’re due!
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Looks like you really have the “ball”rolling Elijah! I’m excited for you!!! 
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Seems about right, the majority of my clutches begin to dimple around the 45 day mark and progressively deflate more and more until they look somewhat flat.
Iirc the babies inside will begin to absorb the nutrients from the egg’s lining through the vein network running across the inside of the shell nearing the later stages of incubation. This and the absorption of their yolk is what causes the egg to deflate. It probably explains why those patches are developing.
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Looking good to me! I’m coming from a corn breeder perspective, so I might be mistaken with BP eggs, but they look like they’re doing well.
Sorry again about the loss. Thanks for posting it, though. The science teacher in me appreciates that.
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Happy Hump Day, everyone! It’s time for another update!
Things are getting real egg-citing here, with Kimball’s clutch now sitting at day 49! We’re due to begin pipping this upcoming Tuesday, so by this time next week we may finally have more than potatoes to post!
Looking ready to come out and say hello to the world, IMO! I get the feeling the 2nd from the left will be the first to pip, as it’s the most deflated and has notable patches of where the embryo seems to be drawing nutrients from the egg shell. 4th from the left is a close second, and all of them are beginning to dent in general. The last on the far right has little “window” patches I’ve been trying to sneak a peek in, but alas the little bugger wishes to keep their secrets! 
Ororo’s clutch is now due in 2 and a half weeks, and looking great as well! No issues since the one egg that went bad about 2 to 3 weeks in, fingers crossed it stays that way!
(Ignore the temps on the therm/hydrometer, it’s been off for some time now and the eggs are sitting comfortably around 87/88 degrees!)
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I don’t know how I missed this post. I can’t navigate this site, and it seems to change every other day anyway so…I do my best. Anyway, great candling pics. Fingers crossed for all to go well. 
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LMAO, no worries! You made it at the best time IMO, when we’re so close to finally seeing what hatches out. I’m ridiculously excited - the combos for Kimball’s clutch was GHI Pastave to Sterling Ghost, so we could have some interesting variety there.
Ororo’s is Double Het Ax/Pied to Sterling Ghost, so less interesting visually but I’m hoping to land the odds and hit a triple het for my project!
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It won’t be long until you can finally what’s inside those eggletts!
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The excitement is KILLING me, Caron!!
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I’m sure! Just try to take some deep breaths, in and out, in and out……..
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