Anyone have success breeding Prehensile Tailed Skinks?

[Kisha]

Merry Christmas to me!!

Just discovered a new baby! It looks like my groups are really on an every other year schedule, this female had a baby this same time two years ago. So much fun! I'm glad to see so many other babies, good job everyone.

Kisha

 

[Kisha]

But wait, there's more...

OMG! Its twins!!! My female was spending a lot of time at the bottom of the cage, which I thought was strange since she usually stays with the new baby. When I looked more closely there was another baby curled up in the corner, I think she had just delivered it. There was what looked like placenta on the substrate and the baby still had a small patch of yolk sac attached. This second one is much smaller than the 1st, but otherwise looks ok, he even crawled around while I was watching. This is my 1st set of twins, the difference in their sizes is surprising, but I think normal from what I have read. It's all I can do to leave them alone, they are so cute. Enjoy the photos!

Kisha

 

[seishin]

WHOO-HOOO!!! YIPPEE!!! They are SO *PRECIOUS*!!!

I'm so thrilled for you, Kisha!!! Congratulations!!!

Question: do you do anything special to ensure that your babies are getting enough water?

-- Celeste

 

[Kisha]

Thanks! I'm just so happy that my groups are doing so well. I don't do anything special with the babies other than mist, mist, mist. I will put a very shallow water dish back in after they are a few days old and are getting around OK. I'm always worried they might drown in a water dish, so I take it out at first. I'll also be offering mom tons of food to help her recover. They always look so thin after. I'll keep you posted on their progress.

Kisha

 

[K-Ran]

Wow, twins - how lucky! Did you have any clue that she was going to have twins? Did she look larger than your average gravid female?

I was also wondering if anyone has ever witnessed a birth? What are the signs that let you know that "tonight is the night". My female is at 30 weeks and I am going crazy waiting. I'm wondering if it is ever going to happen!

Karen

 

[jrbl]

Karen,

I have personally never experienced a Corucia birth. My first should be within the next few weeks. I too am going nuts waiting. Sometimes I think she is getting smaller, even though she is probably bigger than ever.

The person from which I got my male Corucia had 9 births of experience. She told me the signs that birth is near are numerous. Soon before birth, the gravid female usually shed. Soon can mean hours to a week. The days leading to the birth, the gravid female will start heat seeking behavior. Basking will take up much of her time. She will also stop eating a day or two before birth. The female will also spend a great deal of time soaking in the water dish.

Hope this helps, Jrbl

 

[K-Ran]

Thanks for the info. My female is getting ready to shed, so we will continue to wait, and wait and wait.... Keep us posted as well.

Thanks, Karen

 

[seishin]

I never know exactly when the births will take place, and usually I don't see the babies for a couple of days (they are hidden), but if the mother suddenly looks thinner, starts eating like a pig, and lunges at you every time you open the cage, chances are there's a baby hidden in the cage *somewhere*!

-- C

 

[K-Ran]

The wait is over... sort of

Well, it finally happened - my female delivered at last night around 6:40 pm. The baby was VERY small ( I am guessing maybe 60g at most) I knew there must be twins. I got my video and camera and waited. Sure enough, 2 hours later another beautiful baby was born! We all got to see it (and if my camera did not run out of video film, we also got it on film! I was so caught up in the moment I forgot to watch the film remaining clock! Anyway, the second baby was larger (but not by much) and looked better overall. Both consumed some of either the yolk sac or the birth sac or both. They are weak this morning and one struggles to take deep breaths. I worry about the temps in the bottom of the enclosure at night. It is always warmer at the top, but drops to 72-74 at the bottom. Could they just be too cold? I have a heat pad in there, but they keep scooting off it. The first baby has a sort of deflated look to his body, the second one is better, but both are weak this morning. It will warm up this morning. Anyone have any suggestions? I feel powerless and sad.

 

[Kisha]

It is so hard when you want to be in control and make sure everything turns out well. Try to remember that this is nature, and you have little control at this point. If the babies are strong, they will survive. If not, it has nothing to do with you. I was not around for my first 2 births, just discovered a huge baby in the cage one day. This last one I discovered shortly after she delivered. One big strong baby first, then several hours later a smaller one. The smaller one just didn't seem right and 72 hours later was found dead at the bottom of the cage. I have no idea what the problem was, but in such a short amount of time it must have been something internally wrong. It is possible that my other births had been twins, but since I was not around the female may have taken care of things and I never even knew. The point is that these babies are supposed to be born ready to go, if they aren't there is little we can do to help them. I'm not saying "don't bother trying", by all means do what ever seems to help. Its just that nature is not always nice. Don't be discouraged, and best of luck with your new little ones. My thoughts are with you (and them).

Kisha

 

[K-Ran]

Thanks so much Kisha. That is what I keep telling myself. They are very still, only moving if the mother steps on them, or if they try to scoot more under the log. Shouldn't they be crawling around more? Are they still supposed to be so still? I am leaving them alone, only misting and taking temps. I will still try to bump up the overall temps and that is all I can do. This is my second time going through this; man, is it frustrating!!! Thanks, and hope all is well with your new brood. Karen

 

[Kisha]

I think you're right they should be crawling around more. The big twin I had climbed to the top foliage to hide right away, the little one stayed on the bottom of the cage. I eventually moved him to the middle because I was worried about his temps, as well. I would expect a healthy baby to be vigorous shortly after birth, but I have no idea how much time is needed for them to "get their motor running". It may be that they just need a little time to get used to being on the outside. I know it's hard, but hands off is better. Keep up the vigil, and let us know what happens. BTW I would love to see the video!

Kisha

 

[K-Ran]

Well, after the babies had not moved for close to 2 hours, I decided I had nothing to lose and prepared an incubator for them. I picked them up only to find the larger "healthy" one that looked great last night had indeed died. The sad thing is that a loop of intestine had been pulled through his belly and the stump of the umbilical was attached to it. The mother did not clean him up as she did the first born. He pulled and tugged to free himself of the mass after he was born. With the large yolk sac stuck to the ground, he could not go anywhere. I was concerned, but I went to bed and let nature take it's course. This morning he looked poor. I do not know if he pulled so hard he pulled the intestine through, or if mom help clean him and caused it. I know it was not there when he was born. The frustrating part is that I'm sure he was healthy last night. Has anyone experienced this. Can you cut the cord yourself and then leave them alone? Tiny baby #1 is resting in his incubator. He remains alert, yet mostly still. I will keep you posted.

Karen

 

[jrbl]

Karen, This is exactly what happen to my twins that were born on New Years. I am sorry to tell you, but niether should have an external yolk sac or anything coming out of the umbilicus. The yolk sac is suppose to internalize before birth. My first baby had its yolk sac on the outside, but it was still very fat and active. My second baby died because not only was its yolks sac on the outside, but so too was the majority of its digestive tract. My first baby was taken to the vet and its yolk was liagated(tied off) and removed. The baby is now on antibiotics. Perhaps I misread your post, but if your situation is similar to my own, I would suggest you take the baby to the vet. josh

 

[K-Ran]

Josh, I am so glad that you have been able to save your baby! Thanks so much for the information. I did not think that retained yolk sac was a good thing, I just did not know what the umbilical cord should look like. Both my babies were small (about 50 & 56 g) and both had most or all the yolk sac remaining. The intestine loop was not there last night, but by morning had been pulled through the belly. Neither was very strong. Time was not on my side and the larger of the two (with entire sac intact- like a 2.5 " chicken yolk!) died this morning. A trip to the vet was in the plans. The small one clings to life. I have it in a make-shift incubator. I will offer heat, humidity, fluids now and food in a day or two if it survives. The cord was removed completely by the mother, just a little indention remains. I would love any suggestions or more I should do.

My pair mated for 11 days about 32 weeks ago. I would have thought this was not a premature delivery. Does anyone know the causes of retained yolk and what you should do if faced with one in the night and on the weekend? Can you do anything to prevent this?

Thanks for all the input!!!
Karen

 

[K-Ran]

Photos at last!

This morning baby #1 is still alive! (By some miracle) It weighed in at 39g! It has a little more fight this morning and actually crawled on my hand. It drank water and ate a little sweet potato/water mush. I offer it fluids every hr or so. I would love some feedback on what type of nutrition I should be offering since it did not get to absorb it's yolk sac. Has anyone had such a tiny weak baby like this survive? Let me know. Thanks!!!

Karen

 

[K-Ran]

Picture #1 and #4 are the second baby at birth and then after it died. Piture #2 &#3 are the first born tiny surviving twin.

 

[Kisha]

WOW! Amazing pictures, it looks like you can really tell the difference between the placenta (redish tissue) and the Yolk(yellow). I am sorry for your loss, but we can all learn from your experience. I'm glad to hear the other is doing OK, I say keep giving it what ever it will take by hand. You may want to mix in some probiotics with what ever you are giving, there is a brand made for birds that I have used in the past with great results. I'll look up the name and where I got it when I get home from work today. Sweet potato is great, maybe try smashed peas or green beans. Keep up the good work!

Kisha

 

[K-Ran]

Thanks Kisha. I did not even think of that. I actually already have them. I have "Bene-Bac Powder" for bird and reptiles. I will surely use it. I am amazed at the little guys resilience. He/She is climbing off my hand and up my shirt when I offer food/fluids. Sleeping alot, but alert when I wake him. His tail grabs my finger when I run my finger down it. When do you think I should add greens to the sweet potato/pea mixture? I am basically offering food/fluid every 2 hours or so just to ensure he does not dehydrate. How concerned do you think I should be about the lack of yolk absorption at this point? The mother delivered the placenta several minutes after the second baby. I was startled to see that huge yellow yolk intact and not broken. The birth was amazing and I am grateful to have witnessed it. She consumed alot of protein that night, she was bloated and arching this morning and in noticeable discomfort. She did pass a stool and appears comfy now. It was weird, the water where she went to the bathroom actually had a layer of oily residue. She is still on the floor of the enclosure. I feel sorry for her. She knew though because although she guarded the babies , she did so from a distance.

 

[varnyard]

Also, Bert Langerwerf is somewhat of a expert on these animals. Here is a link, you could contact him, I am sure he would be more than glad to help with any questions.
http://www.agamainternational.com/pages/monkey_tailed_skinks.htm