Autopsy - graphic warning!

[Chameleon Company]

Good day all.

Had a gravid calyptratus that died before laying, so i cut her open to remove the eggs.

[Chameleon Company]

More pics









About 70% of the eggs made it and hatched with healthy juveniles

[Warren Klein]

Well done on making the best of a bad situation. I'm impressed that you had such a good hatchling success rate after this procedure. I did the same thing with a Nile monitor but was not so successful.

[Chameleon Company]

@ Herphabitat, thanks for the posting.

I found that when removing the eggs from the membrane (they are all joined like sausages) the problem is to try and not get any blood or internal fluids on the eggs as this is what will make mould grow on them rapidly.

The eggs are natural covered in a mold repelent sheath and if this is washed or wiped off the eggs are vulnerable. With the addition of blood or tissue fluid mould will surely grow on the egg.

I hope everyone can learn something from these pics.

Because veileds generally have huge batches it takes a toll on the body. Notice how large the cavity is in her and how far the eggs went up to her throwt, eventually suffocating her.

[Warren Klein]

The eggs are natural covered in a mold repelent sheath and if this is washed or wiped off the eggs are vulnerable. With the addition of blood or tissue fluid mould will surely grow on the egg.

The V. niloticus I had where covered in mold within a week after the procedure. I was careful not to get any blood or fluid on the niloticus eggs but I may have washed the "natural mold repellent" off unintentionally by cleaning the eggs before putting them in for incubation. Is this "mold repellent sheath" visible or is it just a slimy layer protecting the eggs?

[Chameleon Company]

@ Herphabitat

It is a slime layer that is slighly visible but once again it can be washed of.

Some reports claim that it also has antibiotic properties.

Well your efforts to save the eggs are still positive, well done on trying though and next time around i hope you have success (Lets hope there is no next time for the animals sake)

[froot]

I certainly learned lots from this post. Did you remove any of her organs before you took the photos?

Thanks for sharing.

[Carpetpythons]

Chameleon company: Have you got any reference material where I can read up about this membrane? Have you got any photos of the hatchlings?

[Chamssss]

I cant remember the date of when they hatched, but might my male veiled be a hatchling from this clutch Paul?

[Chameleon Company]

I certainly learned lots from this post. Did you remove any of her organs before you took the photos?

Thanks for sharing.

Good day froot, nothing was removed, that is how compressed the organs were and how big the cavity was......

[Chameleon Company]

Chameleon company: Have you got any reference material where I can read up about this membrane? Have you got any photos of the hatchlings?

Good day carpet pythons. I will download the journal articles from my varsity site and send them to your email?

[Chameleon Company]

I cant remember the date of when they hatched, but might my male veiled be a hatchling from this clutch Paul?

Yes your male is from this batch, remember he was the last one to hatch with the strange markings.

@ carpetpythons, i have pics of juveniles but i have so many batches a year i dont know if the photos will be from that exact batch.