Corallus caninus Nederland - website dedicated to the Emerald Tree Boa of South America

During this period the female the female will drink excessively. The birth of the young, which often takes place in the early hours of the morning generally takes several hours to complete. Neonates emerge tail first and still young are often encountered, or young that are still completely covered by their yoke sacs or drag their yoke sacs on an umbilical cord. Babies born in their yoke sacs can be removed carefully and it is sometimes also necessary to remove the viscous substance covering the young at birth with a damp sterile cloth or towel.

Raising the young
Young born with their umbilical cords attached must be assisted. The umbilical cord can be cut off after tieing off the cord with thin sterile thread at a distance of about 3 cm from the belly to prevent blood loss. The cord is then cut on the other side of the tie (not the belly side). The wound will dry over time and come off. Many young born with their umbilcal cords attached will not survive without medical care. The external tissue that remains after removal of the cord must be kept sterile and be carfeully disinfected with drops of alcohol sol. or betadine (iodine sol.). The babies will need to be monitored for some time and may not dehydrate. They can be housed in small plastic tubs with a perch and drinking water and must be sprayed once or twice a day to prevent dehydration of their delicate skins. They should only be offered feed after their first skin-shed 10-14 days after birth.

Feeding juveniles
Juveniles should be fed well but not be allowed to become obese. Since their skins are very thin and fragile they should be housed in small secure enclosures with relatively high humidity levels and perches to rest on whilst being raised. Feedings should take place only after the release of the faeces from previous feedings. Feeding can be stimulated by scenting prey with lizard musk or with the scent of chick feathers. Force feed only as a last resort and begin feeding 7-10 days after the initial shed. From experience, dwarf hamster crawlers induce feeding quicker than do pinky mice [Polanco, 2006].

Sexual probing
Sexual probing is never a good thing to do. It can harm a snake and even make it incapable of pairing and mating when sexually mature. If it is performed, it should not be carried out until the juveniles are at least a year old. In most cases, this is not really necessary since differentiation of sexes is relatively easy for beeeders with a keen eye and adequate experience. Probing should only be carried out by experienced breeders and only when in doubt.