I almost killed a baby snapping turtle

[-Carrots]

I’m glad the first one survived but RIP to the second :(

[anthonyoliver]

I’m glad you share your mistakes, imagine how many would’ve died due to other people mistaking what they should do like you

[ashley.rice]

For reptile eggs its normal for them to start flatting out, it means the white of the egg (amniotic fluid) is decreasing and they are absorbing the yolk. Try not to cut open any eggs until the majority have hatched to see whats going on with the rest. Just keep them moist and at ideal temperatures until u notice some movements and what not, and then move the babies away from the eggs as to avoid rollings and cannibalism, as rollings can cause issues with the embryo

Holy shit this blew up, thanks guys. Alot of the information i get is from reptile accounts on youtube, and alot of good breeders. If i can i will link a few of the ones that i follow after i get off work. Much love and good luck to the reptile owners in the comments. Also if u do have a reptile do not feed them during brumation, u can and will kill them, thats basically their hibernation stage as the temp gets cooler and their metabolism is incredibly slow so the food u give will only ferment and cause issues. That is a number one issue is see with new reptile owners



I know these are mostly snakes but the care for most reptiles are very similar especially during incubation other than hydration, temperature and diets for the most part and even still alot of diets are very similar. Most reptiles are omnivores.

You will have to sift through some videos and also do ur own research, every person cares for their animals differently and as long as there is no harm done to them there really isnt a right or wrong way so just cuz one person does it one way and another does it another way and they have a similar outcome doesnt mean one was right or wrong. Some methods work better than others, it just depends on you, ur time and space but those are 2 of the few people i follow, there is alot of bad handlers on youtube so becareful, look out for inconsistencies between each person you follow or watch and have fun

[Turtles_Stuff]

Something to remember is that baby turtles and tortoises usually have yolk sacks that stay attached to their bodies and DO NOT remove them, they are extremely fragile and it is what gives them nutrients for the first few weeks until it is fully absorbed

[D-H]

buddy has no idea what he's doing 💀😭

[meysai_]

RIP to the little handsome non-survivor

[Iknowwhereyouive]

"Help him out"
*Literally gets the whole turtle out*

[Elaine_G]

Yikes, seeing that turtle with the yolk sac still attached is jarring. I don't know much about turtles but I hope the remainder of them hatch out healthy!

[LesbeansSplatoon]

If all of that was from you opening it for the second egg, I’d suggest watching snake discovery to see how they cut reptile eggs. And they have rescued snappers in the past too and have a hatching video so you could watch that to see what they do

[romaromasalad]

Im so so so so glad that little guy is okay. Its honestly kind of scary to see him just out of the shell 😭 but hes alive and im so happy about that. Please tell him i love him

[fellgeri]

It's important to just let them hatch on their own, it often takes a few days or more once a crack forms. Even during hatching, they are still absorbing their yolk. The yolk is very fragile, and if the yolk breaks that can kill them.
If most of them have hatched and there are a couple eggs that aren't hatching, then you can very very carefully open the egg to see if they are alive or not.

[sallycinnamon]

There is a channel called Snake discovery on here. They rescued a clutch of snapping turtles for rerelease. They have a couple videos on them. The second one is all about the hatching. Watch that.

You need to just set them and forget them until they are out. They shouldn’t get any significant help from you.

[suneetbroca]

Hi Luke please get in touch with a wildlife rescue or vet - they'd be better placed to guide you. Else you could lose more babies..you'd need to know how soon you could place them back in the pond also..so someone experienced can advise (that will be trustworthy) rather than us audience..you need unbiased and sound direction! Good luck and RIP to the lil one that didn't make it!!

[Maplexter]

so im guessing this was your first time, and its alright! you were doing your best and did pretty well! what ive seen done with eggs is whenever one cuts the shell they cut all the other shells open to make sure they all have openings, some babies will still die sadly, but thats just how it is. i think if you do this again that would be the best route but im not a reptile breeder either so you should probably research! knowledge is power haha

[ManagedPank]

Try getting in touch with a reptile youtuber
Edit: holy hell thanks for finding me helpful, i was lukes 420th like in the comments too

[JakeJAZ]

That’s a weird looking goldie. Fishies be crazy

[BebbaDubbs]

I'm literally crying about the first one and the 2nd one. Brother, less is more with these guys 😢

[michaeldougfir]

It has always been my understanding that the little critters need the struggle of getting out. To help them is to hinder them.

[monkeytimesmagazine]

Just leave a small hole in the shell cracked so they can breath and allow them to free themselves, they need to absorb the rest of the yolk

[Chubypumpkin]

The turtle hugging the yolk is just pure cuteness