This is in reference to my last post about a tiny ball python hatchling and is a crossposted question. Unfortunately its pin headed, and has basically its entire yolk still left, which raises concerns of a possible twisted umbilicle. To be honest im amazed it is even alive.
It has been moved to a small container away from it’s siblings to restrict movement and hopefully allow it to absorb in peace.
But im looking for others experiences on similar issues. I dont want to mess with ir more then necessary, but it does seem like theres an issue with this one
1 Like
I am sorry for ya, but these things do happen. I had a pinhead and it was a little smaller but did fine. I have had snakes come out before I cut with the yolk sac still attached. I just made sure to keep it on damp paper towels until lit shrunk and fell off. Never with a twisted umbilical though. I know you don’t want to mess with it but are you sure that’s all that’s wrong? It may be kinked or deformed somewhere along it’s body, preventing it from coming out as well. If it seems like only the umbilical you might be able to untie or untwist it manually. I know some breeders have had to cut the umbilical off early if something was preventing it from being absorbed. If you do that it could bleed out unless you tie it off. Then cut below where it’s tied off and keep it on damp paper towels until the umbilical cord drops off. I have never done this myself so I am just suggesting options I have seen done. I have found a few YouTube videos on it you may want to see. My guess is it might have more problems and it could be already pretty week, not to be able to come out on its own. Hopefully someone with experience with this exact problem chimes in. Wish you the best of luck!
2 Likes
That is true. I didnt see any kinks or deformities, but its so small, i could have easily missed something. General consensus has been to let it try and absorb the yolk on its own, so im hesitant to do anything drastic without hearing from others who have experienced this and weighing both sides. Since it is a bit of a tricky situation. And fortunately until this point ive had pretty good luck with prior clutches
1 Like
Sadly, its umbilicle was twisted but it passed before i could try and fix it. A lesson learned that will hopefully not be needed atleast for some time
1 Like
I’m sorry for your loss. I know you know that there wasn’t anything you could have done, but I know that it still hurts.
2 Likes
Sorry to hear that. I was rootin for the little one. For all of our best efforts, it is still nature. At the end of the day, it is outside of our control.
3 Likes
It sucks, but knowledge gained for the future. Even if i did fix it a few days ago when everyone started to pip, i dont think even that would have prevented the snake from passing. I was blessed well with the clutch regardless and still have 8 others to care for
4 Likes
Also needs to be said, thanks for sharing. Good posts are not always happy, and like you said @seabreezereptiles -future knowledge, but for all not just you. I am sorry for you having to go through that though!
2 Likes
I also wanted to share a photo of said hatchling after it passed. Until this experiekce i wasnt sure what a twisted umbilical cord looked like, i had only heard of pinheads being caused by lack of absorbtion. So hopefully this helps others in the future.
It had 2 full twists
3 Likes
That poor baby was so undeveloped I doubt you really could have done anything at all. Don’t feel too bad about it, hopefully you won’t have to deal with something like that for a long time. Thanks for sharing though, it is helpful to understand and observe these things!
2 Likes