This year's first Eyelash litter...a big disappointment

[botis]

Quetzalcoatl was was the first of my three gravid Eyelash vipers to give birth this year, early yesterday evening. She never put on much weight during the pregnancy, and had been off feed for 2.5 months, so I wasn't expecting much. Still though, it was very disheartening. Final tally: 11 slugs, 2 fully formed stillborn, and 1 tiny, healthy baby. My other two females should drop in a week or so, and they are both massive. Hopefully my luck will turn.

http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx332/botis1313/050-2-1.jpg

The sole survivor, cuddling with Mom
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx332/botis1313/045-2-1.jpg
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx332/botis1313/034-2-1.jpg

For a size reference, the vine it's perched on is a half inch thick.
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx332/botis1313/058-2.jpg
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx332/botis1313/064-2-1.jpg
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx332/botis1313/065-2.jpg
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx332/botis1313/068-2-1.jpg
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx332/botis1313/080-2-1.jpg

[Aanayab1]

Holy cow I did not know they were that small when born! Cute lil bugger though. The mother is absolutely gorgeous!!!!! I hope the others bring you more than you think.

[TheBoogieDown]

The mother is stunning. I hope your luck turns though!

[rmfsnakes32]

Wow they beautiful mom and baby!

[Gungirl]

Sorry for your loss...

Glad mom is ok and at least you got 1 baby out of it.

That picture of mom and baby is great :)

[botis]

Thanks, everyone. I'm certainly thankfull for the one that made it. I'm pretty sure he'll have a few friends, very soon:)

[alessia55]

The baby that made it is gorgeous! Congrats :) Sorry about the remaining slugs and still borns though. Fingers crossed for the next clutch!!

[Snickers]

Sorry about the ones that didn't make it.

Wouldn't it be better to separate the baby from the mom?

[DragonsEye]

Cute little babe! Too bad about the others. :(

If I lived close to you I would have asked for the stillborns to preserve in alcohol to show to students.

[CK SandBoas]

I'm so sorry about the stillborns and the slugs:(

But the one baby you did get is truly beautiful, along with his/her mom!

[botis]

Thanks, again. He seems to be an interesting shade of green, it'll be interesting to see how it comes in.

These pictures were taken when I first found them. The baby is now seperated.

[Wildside]

Best of luck with your other two females!

[Will0W783]

Oh man, sorry the litter was not bigger. But the mother is stunning and that little baby is soo cute. There are few snakes cuter than newborn eyelash vipers. Best of luck with the other litters- keep us posted!

[aaron_cg]

Wow, they really are tiny when they are born... The mother looks beautiful, and Im sure her baby will grow up to look amazing as well

[Rogue628]

That's quite a little stunner! Was this mom's first litter? Sorry to hear about the slugs and stillborns. :(

Good luck with the other litters! You know we expect updates on them! :D

[Pareeeee]

What a tiny little stinker! He is so adorable!!!! I wish they weren't venomous...I'd be tempted...

Sorry about the bad batch :/

[Louis Jacobsz]

That's a bummer man ! I know exactly how that feels !

At least you got one healthy baby and more to come !

Best of luck bud ! I can't wait for your next post with a cage full of babies haha...

Regards
Louis.

[millertime89]

Sorry about the bad luck but at least mom and one baby are doing well. Was this her first litter? Love the pic of the two together.

[jaleely]

oh wow what a cute cutie, and mom is beeeeautiful. I just love eyelash vipers, and sooo cute! I'm so sorry about the rough litter though. that sucks! But mom is gorgeous, and the baby is a doll and i agree with everyone the mama baby pic is a great one!

[botis]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I know these things happen, but it tears me up finding any snake dead, even if they're born that way.

The mother is four years old, and it was her first litter. The female that I bred last year was also a four year old, first timer. She gave birth to 19 live, and 3 stills. I think the feeding issue may have had some effect. This girl has been off food for 78 days now, while the female from last year ate thoughout the pregnancy. Of the other two females I bred this year, Ruby (red female in my avatar) has fed thoughout, and Medusa (green/pink banded) refused for the first time last week. They should both drop the last week of September. Keep your fingers crossed.

[jaleely]

definitely will, and i can't wait to see what those beauties produce!