SHOULD YOU CUT BALL PYTHON EGGS?

[@benhouke8318]

I have only had three clutches but I cut after the first egg pips. I don't cut massive holes just enough that the hatchling has a way out. And I have had great success doing so.

[@naudiaangelica6925]

Cutting: If you find a wild clutch and take it home to hatch in safety, absolutely do not cut. For snakes in captivity, I feel it's entirely up to the breeder.

[@Ibaneddie76]

Don't really see why it would make a difference if they were wild or captive, an egg is an egg, the snakes don't know the difference. I myself am still on the fence with cutting but do agree with Dav that you should at least wait till the first one pips. By the way this wasn't me attacking your comment, if you know something I'de like to know.

[@auntbob6653]

@@Ibaneddie76 With wild clutches, you want natural selection to do its work. So if a wild snake doesn't have a proper egg tooth, then it will drown, die, and not pass on its genetics. If you cut the egg and then let the wild snake go, it may survive and breed, passing on the genes for poorly developed egg teeth. And then a bunch of its offspring/descendants will drown. Basically, you're helping keep weak genes in the wild population. But with captive bred animals, it doesn't matter so much if they have "weak genes" because they are going to live a (hopefully) comfortable and safe life.

[@joelewis3025]

98 percent captive reptiles thrive and live a longer life , I believe with the way the world is a reptile keeper not all are doing the animal a favor. I can give a a lot of reasons why but to the smart people I shouldn’t have to, I say cut the eggs better survival rate

[@InvertsExotics]

I don't breed so I'm not qualified to comment. However, I think this is one of those maternal, or artificial incubation type questions. There's pro's and cons to both and it's up to the individual to decide what they think is best.

[@mariasunbury4788]

Looking forward to seeing your pied collection whenever that video comes 😀!

[@petrescuework-difficultcas6581]

I think both sides have their point. On the one hand, if a snake isn't able to leave the egg on its' own, it wouldn't have survived in the wild either. If you want to keep it "survival of the fittest", then this would be the way to go. But on the other hand these snakes don't live in the wild, they're pets. And as long as you only slightly slice into the shell without ripping the snake out and leaving it time to come out on its' own pace, I really don't see any issue with that. Snakes that are too weak to leave the egg when cut open then might have an undergoing issue and would have died probably either way. I would cut them a day after the first pipping and then let them leave their eggs on their own pace. But I'm not a breeder, just a pet owner.

[@DeluluIsTheSolulu]

Just gonna put this out there Dav: you are goddamned gorgeous.

[@naudiaangelica6925]

I'm glad someone said it!

[@bobbibuttons8730]

Got to agree on this one

[@riderstrong6397]

I saw him first.......

[@naudiaangelica6925]

@@riderstrong6397 LOL!

[@keithpannell573]

Dāv, I believe that cutting is a personal preference kind of thing with breeders, because as you said, there are pluses and minuses for doing so. My personal preference? Once I start breeding snakes this next year, I'll likely be a mix of cutting and not to see which works best for me--I suspect I'll fall somewhere between and cut when I feel it's appropriate or needed, but let them hatch normally most of the time, but we'll see. Love you videos, dude, and I'm looking forward to all the new stuff you'll have coming out soon!

[@UndiciGiga]

Met you in Verona I make KZbin vids on reptiles in Italy and you’re amazing. Thank you man love you

[@carlLdieck]

Dave what a topic to discuss so many pros and cons but let’s just say let the strong survive and can’t wait till your great tinley vid also most breeders cut not to help survival rate but to see what they hit

[@WildLife_Perspective]

I wish I could go to Tinley but I don't have transportation to get there so hopefully I'll be able to in the next few years. It looks like an amazing show.

[@kitsune0rei]

Aw man... I was just getting into Bananas. We went to the Kissimmee, FL Repticon (same time as Tinley, much smaller haha.) I've been eyeing bananas (I love the ones that have more of an orange ring along the spine), but I saw some snakes made me really love the look of banana pieds. I fell in love with a banana pied paradox but I don't have the money for that kind of higher end snake ;_; It wasn't that expensive for a paradox since it had minimal markings, but still. I'd only brought a little money to pick up some more feeders for my Savannah Monitor. I've been trying to keep myself to more inexpensive morphs like firefly, but I'm not quite ready for another snake yet. And my husband said no new snakes. With the serious face. I also took my friend as her first reptile show :) Another friend of mine originally got us both into ball pythons after we held hers. She was heavily eyeing a banana without my influence. We had a good time even though it was a small show! I got to hold a crested and a leopard gecko for the first time! Wow I didn't know cresteds felt like that! Lots of nice people there. I love learning more about all kinds of reptiles. Also, please do an all your pieds video!

[@sherrybrzeczka7966]

That little pied was so angrified! So cute!

[@wildcardcreatures3053]

When it comes to egg cutting, I really feel like it depends on the species. Ball pythons arent in danger of going extinct and are widely available in the hobby both domestically produced or as one of the 60+ thousand annual imports. So giving weaker babies the extra benefit of cutting the egg doesnt worry me about possibly hurting the gene pool. However endangered species that may only survive in the wild with CB specimens being reintroduced to the wild, I think egg cutting has the potential for being the Achilles heel. We already take much more than we offer from the wild, so mixing possible trojan horses into what little we do offer seems irresponsible.

[@katelillo1932]

Wild Card Creatures this is a very interesting point!

[@natalieboyer3936]

MAN!!! Everyone is gonna be at Tinley this fall. I really wanted to go to meet some of my favorite reptile youtubers. But life happens, and I just can't make it.

[@theodoretibbitts9538]

I think its mostly a personal preference thing regarding whether to cut or not. I do think that something that isn’t often brought up, though, is that if breeders continue to aggressively cut, over time we are actually selecting for nonfunctional egg teeth and making that more common, which will require more aggressive cutting in the future for clutches to be successful. Much like how domestic chickens are terrible parents and we have to incubate their eggs and raise their chicks ourselves, we are breeding pythons to be crappier at hatching over time. Just something to consider. At the end of the day, though, I think its up to the individual breeder.

[@tarantulasamerica9980]

I love your channel👍👍 i have been looking at getting a reptile im at work so i dont have time for full video but ill be watching full video on my lunch break i have a question but cant ask till i watch full video

[@KYKonstrictorsandExotics]

Great video...love your pieds!!! I bought one of yours from a friend of mine. Fabulous quality!!!!

[@SupremeGecko]

Great video Dav. Soooo much info you are sharing. And fun to watch. "Yes, we have no Bananas. We have no Bananas today" :)

[@herpermike_]

Well, I know that in the wild they are generally incubated with the mom usually in a termite mound! And I have talked with others about that and we were thinking that maybe the termite mound produces some kind of acidic dipping onto the eggs and maybe it causes it to be easy for the babies to cut out on their own lol

[@KYKonstrictorsandExotics]

I cut my eggs but to my own benefit... I always wait til the first couple pip on their own. As far as s ok me say that cutting allows weak genetics to leak out. I have seen some that pipped on their own be weak whether it was from a mother being bred too young or an incubation issue. I honestly believe that if you bred your snakes then you can do with eggs as you wish, even if you want to make an omelette.... THEY ARE YOURS!!!!

[@tannersanders7035]

KY Konstrictors and Exotics an omelette 😂

[@natalieboyer3936]

I follow a lot of different people that breed and they all cut their eggs. I feel like as soon as that first one pips, that you can cut the rest of the eggs. And it doesn't have to be a big cut like you see on some cutting videos to see what morph the baby might be. Just a little cut so that all the fluids stay in, but that there is an escape route to help the baby out.

[@TRreptiles]

So this was my first season with ball pythons and I decided to cut. I think a lot was that I was nervous for something to happen. I had no issues expect for one died after it absorbed it yoke. Don’t know why it happen but I think as long as it works for me I’ll continue to cut

[@danimal1357]

Just woke up to my first clutch this morning. I did not cut . 4 out of 7 pipped last night and looks like the others came out today. To each his own. I let momma do her thing and she did not fail!.. pastel het clown × clown...rattle on Dave!!!🤘🐍🐍🐍

[@jonathanmitchell8752]

Never bred balls but have done plenty of colubrids I always thought egg cutting was a little weird, but I can see why some do it especially when you're expecting something new or very rare.

[@pugsabi]

I don't have any snakes so my opinion might change later on, but as of now I'm in favor of cutting. I would wait 24hrs after the first pip to cut.

[@HBPExotics]

Awesome video dav.....and man awesome clutches...

[@philipstanley2852]

I literally hear the excitement about your animals I love them all I'd be proud to produce anything like that . An also I won't cut when I try my hand at breeding I wish I could be at Tinley

[@dylanwickund9109]

I use vermiculite but i use those plastic grates for flourecent lights and cut them into size that way the eggs dont sit directly on it but close enough and i dont get mold unless water drips onto an eggs but i like to wipe them down every week

[@LaylaBlaire]

Glad I got to meet you in passing at Tinley! We never came across your booth was looking for bullsnakes didnt have any luck tho

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

I'm sold out of them almost immediately every year

[@ralva2779]

Nice video! I think cutting eggs is up to the breeder (the breeder has a chance to save a captive bred animal). Eggs pipping on their own is also a nice event for the breeder so it is up to the breeder and if they are right about it.

[@Gottalovecarpetpythons]

Nice all the clutches and there are pros and cons to egg cutting and so many do cut them.

[@silascaldwell2785]

I have noticed a difference in almost every snake breed in temperament and stress levels if I keep them on a white substrate vs a black or dark substrate their eyes react to value. it might just be me but that's why I don't keep animals on paper towels anymore.. news print is the best for me ;)

[@creel-starr]

Do you sell online or only at expos? Have a website?

[@joshawagillis9966]

To cut or not to cut I hear it all the time personally my group is small so I keep a close eye on my eggs and I watch for pipping and will only cut if after a day or so I see one egg hastent piped just to try and give it a chance usually works 50/50

[@dvlexotics2177]

2 reasons I wish I was at Tinley right now one your there 2 Kevin mccurley is there for the first time in years. And I know he is bringing the best of the best in his collection

[@riderstrong6397]

I know right....?

[@witchin392]

The reason I think people want to cut eggs is because they want to feel apart of there hobby... I'm waiting on 7 ball python eggs to hatch it's day 61and they are just starting to cut there way out. It's like waiting on paint to dry 😂🤓I agree with you on not cutting I'm waiting on 3 more and yes I do think they help each other know it's hatching time

[@darrenboswell5809]

I am in favour of cutting once the first egg has pipped on its own and I do that, but I dont cut the egg fully open. Often I will just put a 1 inch slit in the egg and most times I find the neonate still makes its own slits and crawls out. I think we as humans are telling or convincing ourselves that we know best, we dont. Then there are some people who think that if we cut eggs (and that cutting is the only reason the snake survives), then we are producing snakes that are somehow weak (think survival of the fittest).

[@robertmoore1123]

Awesome snakes you bred all of them rock

[@anthonyln]

Small cuts to ensure the snake can get out Incase it was born without an egg tooth. Other than that I’m not cutting to see what’s in it. I know what’s in it. A ball python lol, I do it to ensure captive survival, it’s not the wild so no need to let nature decide

[@pickledips1380]

Hi Dav.. I’m sorry I didn’t get to show up to the Tinley show today. I won’t be there tomorrow either. I’m real upset I can’t go but push came to shove and my mom had to give her car away to get money because of her recent divorce with my dad.. maybe I can go next year. Not that anyone would care if one person like didn’t show up but I hope you And everyone else had a good time.. see ya.. 👋

[@Cgraseck]

Beautiful snakes none the less👍👍 Cheers, Chris

[@luotingkun]

I cut my egg when the first egg piped, I found this way is always the best way for me. I never lost any of my babies in this way although I am not a big breeder.

[@stevelender6852]

Awesome info ty

[@jesusbeloved3953]

I don’t breed snakes; just keep 2 as pets. I would think it needs to be more of an individual preference to cut or not. If I did breed, I’d be so excited to see what I got, I’d cut!

[@ivo2345]

I think the best way to do it, is to cut the eggs, but not those big ass holes, it should be a very small hole wich gives the animal a chance to live.

[@WattsMiner]

Ok... So totally personal preference. As far as im concerned its your eggs, your choice. Dont be dumb and ✂ to early, wait for a pipper or use common sense.

[@dresreptiliansandarachnids6589]

Really awesome clutches

[@IrieRogue]

I'm in favor of cutting as long as it is done so safely and within the appropriate time frame, especially when aiding those babies that have a tougher time breaking through the shell!

[@IrieRogue]

Your babies are absolutely gorgeous! Love those bananas. I bet you're a proud papa 😊 I love seeing a healthy clutch

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thank you! Yes I am!

[@Ibaneddie76]

Wow that Enchi Mohave GHI is absolutely ridiculous, more and more I fin myself leaning towards the darker genes specially when I see snakes like that. I think cutting eggs is ok if you know what you are doing and don't make the cuts to big and or to soon. From what I've seen there is more danger in not cutting, I only say that because I've never personally witnessed a baby perishing because the egg was cut but I have on a few occasions seen babies die because they didn't make it out in time. I wish I lived in the Tinley part of the country so I could buy a few of your amazing new baby snakes.

[@crazykiraz7800]

after watching a couple different breeders, I have a couple different answers to the cutting an egg. Yes but I just don't like when some breeders start pulling them out of the egg. I though the reason was to help them find their way out not to get them out...

[@SADDLEBAGS6969]

So sense Billy at mutation creation didnt answer my question, how can I be successful selling my first clutch of babys in year 2020 hatching season? Tiny cuts, not huge cuts on the eggs

[@nicklasbuchbinder2539]

How long do you leave a clutch housed together after hatching? Thanks in advance

[@victorthevloggerrr8127]

I say cutting but a very little slit not a big because the snake will be straight out on light and might get irritated so a little slit would be good just to ensure they won’t drown in their own fluids

[@bluemoon4562]

Cutting: I’ve lost hatchlings since I didn’t cut or waited to cut until 1 pipped. Nothing worse than having animals die when you could have done something so simple as cut.

[@evelinasimkova7550]

Will there be a video from Tinley?

[@MarynMoonsamy-y2o]

I love your video your the best

[@LanceKirkman]

What happens when female maker x female maker is bred? It was wonderful meeting you Dāv! #RattleOn

[@tjkilmer1684]

I'm for gutting the eggs I love seeing the babies and knowing they won't die to young is a great thing.

[@animalandnaturetv2435]

So we pick save all or nature take it's course ? I think I will go with cutting but not till first one shows I've watched Brian barczyk and Jay at prehistoric pets do it for 3yrs now . Thanks for a great video always learn something new 😎

[@riderstrong6397]

I think the cutting depends on the clutch and situation......I have allowed clutches to hatch naturally, other clutches I had to cut....

[@commercialelectrician133]

great videos can you recommend any place where i can get tortoises. from looking for p.p. leopard or b.p. leopard looking to buy six

[@anthonyolivarez8454]

Do you have a website to see what's available for sale.?

[@dylanwickund9109]

I cut when they pip and only when they make the first hole i only make the hole bigger so they dont get stuck as in my first clutch one had its head stuck and didnt move for hours and by morning he was still in the same spot head stuck out so i cut it a bit and he sucked his head in and not even 20 minutes later he came out and was the last too

[@williamwolfcastle3618]

Think of cutting as a C-section if you have to do it you have to do it C-sections on dogs and cats are common and no one talks bad about that scenario

[@davidkelly1298]

There are good arguments for either side but I think if was a breeder I would cut the eggs just to help insure that they make it out of the eggs. But like all things even that is not a guarantee that they will all be ok. I didn't get the notification for this video.

[@lidathorn6449]

**BOINK** omg I love you Dāv

[@staceyroberts3468]

I would loved to of had that low white banana pied. I’m pitching a fit 😫 I hope u had a great weekend. I bet u r whooped haha

[@sandramorrison99]

YES, on cut.

[@ScottyHunter]

At 10:27 you say that baby is a "Low White Banana Pied"... but that looks like an awful lot of white on there...? Is that still considered a "low white"? Did you mean to say "high white" or "low color" or something? Regardless, that baby is (in my eyes) GORGEOUS! Love the ones with a lot of white on them, whatever they may be called! lol

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Yes, I misspoke and didn't catch it until I uploaded. I meant to say high white.

[@ScottyHunter]

@@davkaufmansreptileadventures I figured that was the case, but know next to nothing about snake morphs so wasn't sure! Definitely a gorgeous snake. I am not normally a snake person (mostly a monitor and chelonian person) but seeing some of these Ball morphs are definitely getting me excited!!

[@gubjorggisladottir3525]

I have watched videos were the breeder goes into the egg and lifts the snake´s body halfway out of the egg. I think that is actually too far to go... Let the snakes leave the eggs on their own. Should the eggs be cut before any hatching has "piped" it´s egg? It does not seem to hurt the animals IF the eggs are ready (Mutation Creation Canada). But what if the eggs are not ready ? is that not hurting the animal? Also, what are people able to do, so the eggs do not "go moldy" or destroyed /damaged /decay during the incubation period? I think it is better to watch the eggs (scrutinize them) during the incubation periods and possible cut those the breeder thinks need help? Keep them in the eggs so that they can digest all of the egg yolk. What bothers me is when a breeder is talking about what he/she "has made" and produced... look to how a farmer talks about his/her breeding projects... if the farmers around you talk about "producing" and "making" animals... then just go on using those words... but if the farmers do not use those words, then the snake breeders should not use them either... because then those words are not the correct words to use. Does a farmer produce a good milk cow?

[@douglasbeauchamp9161]

I understand that a lot of breeders have a lot of money invested and do not want to lose any snakes out of a clutch BUT I also believe that we maybe reproducing some genes that would normally be culled out by having the baby not be able to emerge from the egg. So... I believe cutting may actually be hurting our hobby by reproducing genes that in the wild would be deleted by the little ones death. my opinion only

[@MulingJunkie]

Where do you offer your snakes for sale?

[@b3z3n14]

Cutting can save the snakes life! They can get wrapped up in there cord so it has a benefit, the only other reason for cutting is basically for the benefit of seeing what's in there truth be told.

[@TheTwistedTraceur]

cut? yes... buttt.... i would not cut at day 56 i would on day 57 or 59 and i would not do a giant cut, just a tiny cut to help a bit out but make sure he is healthy to get out of it

[@djpythons1252]

My GHI 💯 het pied with my Mojave 💯 het pied first time breeding them 8 eggs 38 days in ⚡💥🔥💦💧💯💜🇬🇧👑

[@djpythons1252]

My leopard and f pinstripe had 7 eggs one pip yesterday on 58 days in so I cut the rest ⚡💥🔥💦💧💯💜🇬🇧👑

[@LlLF0X]

ima snake discovery fan that wondered wat a piped ball python looks like

[@timvs266]

Is egg cutting only a thing with ball pythons or with all snakes that lay eggs?

[@PrimroseFrost]

It's with all egg-laying snakes. If you look at Snake Discovery's channel for instance, Emily cuts her bullsnake, rat/cornsnake and Western hognose eggs. She's even cut gecko eggs before!

[@michaelross5674]

I bought one of those trays gonna use on my first clutch... So there is a good chance they are female makers?

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

No, the female in the pairing has to be banana to make female makers in the offspring

[@michaelross5674]

@@davkaufmansreptileadventures oh ok. I know its a tricky subject

[@Armandov_8080]

I saw snake pp's. Isint that cool. XD

[@dvlexotics2177]

I cut a day or 2 after the first pip happens.

[@michaelross5674]

I think i would cut BUT i think i might wait till first onw pips ... But not sure we will see

[@StefanEnslin]

I don't breed so I'm not qualified to comment. However, I think that I will not cut until most hatch then assist any stragglers. Maybe that is just me.

[@matthewlee8667]

Tell me you have a python named Monty and I shall praise you forever.

[@danevans9152]

No, but I do have an African Swallow :-)

[@TrueBeelzebub]

Dav you sir......are beautiful Just needed to say it

[@Laotzu_Wittgenstein]

To address the elephant in the room: The correct answer is medium white pied ✌

[@bronxballpythons9300]

👏🐍👍💯✂✂🎆 great video.

[@shinigamigirl666]

Sorry did you say those two at the end are LOW whites? Man, what constitutes as a high white anymore? XD

[@technoraptor7778]

Would you say you're ...... The pied piper!!!?

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Why yes. Yes I would. lol.

[@meifestonature]

With a risk (how big or small) that they had a mutation in which their eggtooth is missing, cutting and breeding them might breed that mutation into the genetics. So, i don't cut ;)

[@spork340]

I think cutting and not cutting is fine if you cut i say wait till the first one pips and 24 hours later you can cut.

[@forfun212678]

If ur banana male is a female maker u should get females and not very many males. I think what happened is someone missed label him. It is very easy to do if u have not studied how the sex linked gene works. I would be willing to bet that banana male came from a banana to banana pairing making it not a female or male maker but equal male to female chances. I could go on explaining the sex linked gene. Lol Some amazing snakes in this video brother.

[@jasoncabrera3553]

It's funny how people use the who in the wild you dont cut argument. Nothing we do in the hobby is natural, we do the best that we could to try have out beautiful snakes to thrive, but heres the reality. If your not in my small room helping me clean, feed or water or pay my bills I'll personally keep ignoring the dont cut comments. Dont tell others what to do with there snakes, facts.

[@francescooo3199]

Mi porta "Michele e i rettili"

[@jsisisisjjsjsjsj2819]

Cutelittlebabies!!!!!!!!!

[@jase123111]

I breed fancy chickens and ducks and it is very much a no no to assist chicks hatch out. Reason is there is nearly always a health problem or deformity the reason the bird can not get out of the egg. If you help them they are weak birds and will pass on their weak genes to their young. A few generation down the line the birds will be very poor quality and weak. I think that will happen if you cut the snakes out of the eggs in the long run. You should not breed weak or sick snakes that can not even hatch out if their own eggs.

[@steviematthew]

I thought the banana gene was tied to the x/y chromosomes.

[@katelillo1932]

That is my understanding, as well. So perhaps the banana male that sired the clutch was from a banana mother and banana father? So he can produce banana babies of either sex?

[@Laotzu_Wittgenstein]

@@katelillo1932 Any banana CAN produce male or female. A male maker has about a 90% chance of making a male and 10% chance of making a female. Every once in awhile, a male maker will pop out a female

[@MrDavidcarp]

🐍🥚🐍👌🏿

[@surfpanther]

Cut your eggs don't cut your eggs. You do you

[@mattr2238]

If we only ever cut, the egg tooth will become vestigial.