Nightmare clutch (NEW UPDATE)

So...my wife has always wanted to make a Blue Eyed Luci! We bred our male Lesser to our Mojave for the first time this year. Hoping to beat the odds and make just ONE white snake....she layed 5 eggs and out of them, there were 5 whitesnakes!!!! Problem is that 3 were not completely formed, 1 was dead and 1 is hanging on by a thread only after some really strange EMT/CPR stuff performed on it by me! Fingers are crossed!!!!!!!!!

So sorry. Fingers crossed for the ER patient.

Tandy

Hate to hear that Jeff.

Really sad for you. I hope the rest hold on!!

Just wanted to update and explain.
WOW, 5 out of 5 eggs...white snakes! First 3, severely kinked, brain formed outside the skull. 4th snake D.O.A. Snake number 5, fully formed for the most part, but still attached to a turning green yolk sack. Knew it wouldn't make it and knew if I cut the cord it would probably bleed out. Grabbed a piece of thread and tied off and cut the cord. WOO HOO, no blood! Several seconds later the snake went limp and stopped breathing. I know it sounds crazy, but I gave it mouth to mouth several times and to my amazement it began to breathe!
We look at these as our babies. We selectively breed for what we want in our collection. Not to offend anyone, but it seems that people who breed strictly for monetary gain use phrases like "freezer snake" (if it don't look good, throw it in the freezer)...that does not happen at our house! I know at this point his chances of survival are low, however, he is getting stronger by the day and all we can do is hope that he makes it. With that said, we would like to introduce all 37 grams of Pele (it means miracle)!!!!!!

Best wishes.

I really hope Pele makes it.

CONGRATS! He is named appropriately. With all the horror stories we hear about animal neglect and abuse, it's great to hear about those dedicated souls that go above and beyond to keep their animals healthy and happy. I think you all should write down his story and keep a photo/video log (because I know he is going to survive). Kids always hear about the puppy saved from a storm drain that no one wanted until he was on the news; they should hear about Pele too. His theme song should be "Eye of the Tiger." TOO COOL!


Tandy

All stories about emergency treatment for critters are interesting to me. Thanks for posting. I have given CPR to a tiger salamander....it worked 3 times but not the 4th. I'm having a little puffy eye problem with the hatchling RF tortoises...so far I have added moist spaghnum, no bright light, turtle eye drops (vit. A) and little handling. I shred romaine into tiny pieces but will try collard greens soon. Maybe a baby food soak. The problem was dehydration possibly late in the shell. Keep fingers crossed, fellow herpers.
Oh, that is beautiful baby snake and will say a prayer to my fav: St Francis of Assisi, patron of animals.

He's preeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetty!!!

Fingers, toes, legs, arms and testicles crossed.

PatHigdon wrote:He's preeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetty!!!

Fingers, toes, legs, arms and testicles crossed.

ROFL. That's about all you can cross. Tandy

tandy wrote:

PatHigdon wrote:He's preeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetty!!!

Fingers, toes, legs, arms and testicles crossed.

ROFL. That's about all you can cross. Tandy

no crossing the eyes? FORESHAMED it's ok i'll cross my eyes for you since pat wont

Tandy

Sorry for taking so long, it's been kind of touch and go. Would like to start with a big THANK YOU to all concerned. Alice...I was so happy to hear that I wasn't the only person to have had a reptile's face in my mouth. You made me feel a little less crazy!

Latest Update: Pele is still alive! She has gone from 37.2 grams to 48.8 grams, but has yet to eat on her own. We are still syringe feeding her our "secret recipe" concoction. Our biggest concern was that she was hatched on August 15 and had yet to shed. We had been through this before with a baby pastel rescue that had not shed in it's first 6 months of life and he didn't make it. We were so afraid that this little girl not shedding would end up like the pastel. We had a little party here last night when we opened her tub and found her first shed!!!!!!! I told my wife and several other people "I can make her eat, but I can't make her shed." So last night was a great night! We look forward to her taking her first meal on her own. Here's a couple of recent pics of our miracle baby!

Sounds like CONGRATULATIONS are in order.

Wait a minute.....I didn't give mouth-to-mouth, I just pumped it's chest with my finger. Figured trying to breathe into a salamander's mouth might cause an explosion. Also heard the mouth2mouth isn't used anymore at least on humans.

Beautiful!

Thanks all...Alice, maybe I am the only crazy one on here after all!!! I should have said "blew in his face GENTLY"!!! I knew that the risk of explosion was there!!! LOL

So glad he shed. What a relief for you. Hang in there Pele! Tandy

Our little baby, Pele, had his first assist feed today! A little over 5 months old, still only at 55 grams, but alive and healthy! Today, we placed a pinky rat in his mouth and he took it down on his own for the first time!

What a good little girl she is.

Glad to hear that she's making some progress! And no, you're not the only one who's done reptile CPR. I've had my share with a few snakes and lizard species, lol.

Progress has been REALLY slow...but she is still alive!!! We didn't think she would make it this long, but we had to try!!! If we lose her now I'm gonna be crushed!!!