One of our Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis gave birth to 26 young today. As always, its an awesome thing to see from start to finish!
Here's a small photoseries of only one young...


It all starts a bit like this (after some restless bevahiour and such)
Claoca opening, slightly bulging/contracting and a bit of fluid coming out



Then, a bit more showing. In this case the baby was upside down (doesn't happen to often...)



After a bit of dragging around, the baby pops out. Still in a transparant egg sack with veins



Then, the struggle for life begins!
Trying the best it can, trying to force its way out of its cage



After a few tries, the wee little thing succeeds and gasps for air. Usually, mouth open and visibly relieved!
(sorry, bit out focus...)



One more hurdle, breaking the umbilical cord... Dragging along the egg sack