Baby snakes arrive early
The baby snakes were expected to hatch on January 25, which is 60 days after they were laid
Eugene Jonck’s baby corn snakes hatched early and started to break out of the eggs on Monday night.
The baby snakes were expected to hatch on January 25, which is 60 days after they were laid. There were 20 eggs in this clutch, but two of the babies unfortunately died. Eugene has been looking after the eggs to ensure that the babies come out healthy. This means making a special incubating box for them, with water at the bottom and moss on top, with two fish tank heaters to keep them warm. The moss is used to keep them dry and to maintain the heat. There are also special vermiculite stones which help keep the humidity high to make for perfect conditions for the little ones.
The snakes use their ‘egg tooth’ to break through the eggshell. They also drink all the egg yolk before emerging.
In one to two weeks’ times, once they have shed their skin for the first time, they will be fed ‘pinkies’. Eugene says he will determine their sex once they are all out of their eggs. “It’s so cool and exciting to see the eggs hatching!” said a proud Eugene.
