Do premature babies ever survive?

[Linda]

I've never read about litters being born premature and living. Can premies live? Can they live "normal" lives if they survive or will they be sickly and die at an early age? Has anyone had success with saving any premature boas? I'm just curious and wanted to know.
Linda :)

[surfimp]

I think Professor Ronne is the right one to answer this question, but from what I can tell, he uses a "live and let die" policy with his babies...I read somewhere that he doesn't like to help them along too much (i.e. if they are preemies) because if they're not strong enough to break out of their sac, breathe on their own, and etc, then they're probably not going to make it in the long run, in all likelihood. He also said that the last few weeks of development seem to be very important for a neonate's survival and subsequent development (i.e. so that they aren't sickly and weak as adults). Which is a bummer, because sometimes those preemies are just so darn appealing! :(

Of course, I'm sure that the amount by which a baby is premature also comes into play here...a neonate that's born only a few days early would probably have a much better chance of surviving than one that's born a few weeks early, all other factors being equal. But like I said, I'm definitely not an expert, however I suspect that the esteemed sirs English, Gaertner, and Ronne can probably expound upon these theories/practices in greater detail.

[Minus_1]

8) Everytime I see that graphic, I get the theme song to Welcome Back Kotter stuck in my head.... then Horshack's voice....

[Erich_Gaertner]

I have never had a whole litter of premies, but last year I produced a litter of Anerys and one of the babies was much smaller than his littermates. He still had his sack attached and was struggling to move on his own. I cut the sack off and placed him in his own container. I waited the usual 9 or 10 days for him to shed out, but he never did! On day 12 I figured I would try to feed him a mouse pinky. To my surprise he nailed it and ate it willingly! Interestingly he is the only neonate I have ever gotten to eat before their first shed! To say I was pumped would be an understatement! ;D However he still hadn't shed! Finally after 19 days he started to go into a shed cycle. When he finally shed out it was all in pieces, not what I wanted to see! Fortunately he successfully shed his eyecaps so I could help him with the rest. I waited until the following day to offer another mouse pinky. Again he nailed it and ate willingly! Things were looking good for the little guy! His subsequent sheds all were fine and he has never refused a meal, not once! I still have him and should sell him, but find myself making excuses why I should keep him just a little longer! ::) I don't know if I answered your question, but I wanted to share my experience! :)
Erich Gaertner
www.strictlyboas.com