CLINGING TO LIFE...

terrific tortoises · 17-10-2007, 11:41 PM

After over 90 days of incubation, I decided to break open my very last Ibera egg.
All the other eggs (from this clutch) had hatched out 3 to 4 weeks ago. I had candled this last egg many times, and had come to the conclusion that the tortoise had most likely died approx. 75% through its incubation (this has happened several times before with eggs) and the results have always been the same.
What I found though was a little unexpected, the tortoise is very very small, he had a huge yolk sac attached (which is larger than him!) he was still inside the membrane...but he was definately alive.

My plan was to leave him for approx. 24 to 48 hours inside his egg, then cut the membrane away from his head area, so he could breath air, but after coming home from work and checking him, he had done it by himself, and he had opened the egg up. Another thing I noticed too...It appears that he has only one eye.

This tort is a fighter and he wants to live!, so I decided to move him (and his huge yolk sac!) from the broken egg, and place him in a large plastic bottle lid (Thanks Dan

).
I use sterile water to moisten tissue underneath the torts yolk sac, and this has to be changed/replaced daily, so that he can continue to absorb the yolk sac, whilst remaining in the incubator. I have had previous success using this method, with good percentages of survival.

I have to say that I do not think he will survive, but he has proved that he is a fighter, so I have my fingers crossed

...T.T. 8)

midi-mania · 17-10-2007, 11:45 PM

good luck!

dizzywend · 17-10-2007, 11:46 PM

sounds lika a true fighter, best of luck and keep us informed!

Wendy

veebee · 18-10-2007, 12:06 AM

Ahh, poor thing, hope he does survive. Do you have a photo of the little fella?

Viv

molbags · 18-10-2007, 12:09 AM

Oh yes, a big good luck from me too!!!

**egyptiandan64** · 18-10-2007, 02:34 AM

My fingers are crossed for him Paul. I'm glad the pop lid idea is coming in handy.

Fight on One Eyed Jack.

Danny

sandy · 18-10-2007, 07:08 AM

You can only do your best Paul, fingers crossed for him.
I wonder why this happens, one taking so long to develope?
Any ideas?

SpanishD · 18-10-2007, 07:22 AM

Good luck to you....keeping fingers crossed for the little one xxx

fi_fi · 18-10-2007, 08:54 AM

sounds like a little fighter - sending good thoughts your way.

Please keep us posted x

pippin · 18-10-2007, 09:02 AM

awww hope the little mite makes it,

17-10-2007, 11:41 PM	#1
terrific tortoises Member Juvenile Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 861	CLINGING TO LIFE... After over 90 days of incubation, I decided to break open my very last Ibera egg. All the other eggs (from this clutch) had hatched out 3 to 4 weeks ago. I had candled this last egg many times, and had come to the conclusion that the tortoise had most likely died approx. 75% through its incubation (this has happened several times before with eggs) and the results have always been the same. What I found though was a little unexpected, the tortoise is very very small, he had a huge yolk sac attached (which is larger than him!) he was still inside the membrane...but he was definately alive. My plan was to leave him for approx. 24 to 48 hours inside his egg, then cut the membrane away from his head area, so he could breath air, but after coming home from work and checking him, he had done it by himself, and he had opened the egg up. Another thing I noticed too...It appears that he has only one eye. This tort is a fighter and he wants to live!, so I decided to move him (and his huge yolk sac!) from the broken egg, and place him in a large plastic bottle lid (Thanks Dan ). I use sterile water to moisten tissue underneath the torts yolk sac, and this has to be changed/replaced daily, so that he can continue to absorb the yolk sac, whilst remaining in the incubator. I have had previous success using this method, with good percentages of survival. I have to say that I do not think he will survive, but he has proved that he is a fighter, so I have my fingers crossed ...T.T. 8) __________________

17-10-2007, 11:45 PM	#2
midi-mania Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: mersyside Posts: 1,058	good luck! __________________ Gav

18-10-2007, 12:06 AM	#4
veebee Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Birmingham Posts: 1,109	Ahh, poor thing, hope he does survive. Do you have a photo of the little fella? Viv __________________ www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk PLEASE SIGN: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/769012123

18-10-2007, 12:09 AM	#5
molbags Member Hatched Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bristol Posts: 394	Oh yes, a big good luck from me too!!! __________________

18-10-2007, 02:34 AM	#6
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	My fingers are crossed for him Paul. I'm glad the pop lid idea is coming in handy. Fight on One Eyed Jack. Danny __________________

17-10-2007, 11:46 PM	#3
dizzywend Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North West Posts: 1,678	sounds lika a true fighter, best of luck and keep us informed! Wendy

18-10-2007, 07:08 AM	#7
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	You can only do your best Paul, fingers crossed for him. I wonder why this happens, one taking so long to develope? Any ideas? __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

18-10-2007, 07:22 AM	#8
SpanishD Member Juvenile Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Devon, UK Posts: 812	Good luck to you....keeping fingers crossed for the little one xxx __________________ Louise and Daisy (13) Keeper of leopard tortoises Springer spaniel......Molly Blue and Gold Macaw.....Merlin Blue fronted Amazon......Monty Love Bird....Scooby

18-10-2007, 08:54 AM	#9
fi_fi Member Hatchling Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Berkshire Posts: 729	sounds like a little fighter - sending good thoughts your way. Please keep us posted x __________________ 1.0.0 testudo hermanni boettgeri

18-10-2007, 09:02 AM	#10
pippin Member Incubating Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: north east durham Posts: 237	awww hope the little mite makes it,

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