Draaken Cove

I am a hobbyist breeder of Western Hognose and hopefully soon Merauke Blue Tongue Skinks.

08/16/2024

Only one day left to NRBE! I am so stoked to be vending my first expo! Just a couple of the babies that I will have this weekend. Come see me at table #360!

**p **plife

07/22/2024

The incubator has officially closed for the season, and it ended with the hatching of this gorgeous little girl. She is a Superconda 100% het Albino from a tiny 2 egg double clutch from Bellatrix and Hufflepuff.

**p **plife

07/13/2024

What a perfect ✨️cinnamon roll✨️

**p **plife

06/14/2024

I finally got around to a group photo shoot of Bellatrix x Hufflepuff's clutch. I'm in love with this group, so many beautiful babies 😍
2 Albino Supercondas
2 Albino Anacondas
1 Albino
4 Supercondas het Albino
2 Anacondas het Albino
2 Normals het Albino

**p **plife

06/12/2024

⚠️⚠️Warning-GRAPHIC PICTURE⚠️⚠️

These pictures are hard to look at, but I feel it is important to be transparent about the ugly side of breeding.
I knew going into breeding that it's not always cute pips and happy hogs. One day I would face the ugly side of it. I should consider myself lucky that I have had dozens of healthy, beautiful babies, but it doesn't make it any easier when this day comes around. Bellatrix and Hufflepuff's clutch started hatching early Saturday morning. They were pipping really fast and everything was going great. Sunday afternoon I noticed one of the eggs had turned an opaque brownish color. I thought it just got wet from the baby who had pipped next to it. By monday afternoon there was no change so I decided to cut it open. I knew immediately from the smell that the baby was gone. A female Albino Superconda, perfectly formed minus an open spot on the top of her head. I saw movement in all of the eggs last week, so she must have passed about the time everyone started pipping. The last couple stragglers pipped and made their way out Tuesday, except for one egg that on the outside looked perfect. I cut it, and honestly I had to made a very large window because I wasn't sure the baby was alive. I eventually saw her move her head slightly and I could see the blood vessels pulsing, but she did not look physically well. I left her overnight hoping she just needed some help but this morning there was no change. She hadn't even broken through the membrane inside the egg. I fully removed her from the egg and was able to see how badly she was deformed. Her body was severely stunted and even fused to itself at points. She couldn't move and I thought she had passed until I saw her tongue flick. I had to help her pass. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. These babies are my responsibility, I facilitate them coming into this world and I couldn't help her or her sister. They are now buried together and I can only hope that their little bodies give back to the soil and bugs. I will never know what happened to them. Maybe they were in a cool spot of the incubator, or just a fluke? I don't think it's an issue with the pairing since they have had several healthy clutches before, but I can't rule it out entirely. I will be reevaluating my incubator for next year so that I can at least eliminate that possibility. I know this was a novel, but I felt it was needed in this circumstance.

06/02/2024

Meet Pua! He is a normal 66% het Snow that hatched last week from Fleur and Nevilles clutch. Eighteen hours after all of his other siblings were making their way out, Pua had not even started to pip yet. I don't like to intervene, but I felt I should and in this case I'm glad I did. After cutting the egg I saw that he is missing his right eye and also did not have an egg tooth, hence why he didn't pip. No other deformities that I can see, though he did start out a bit sluggish. Once he takes his first meal I will feel much better, but regardless he will be staying with me for a lot longer than the others and will need an extra special home.

**p **plife

05/30/2024

All 13 of Fleur and Neville's first 2024 clutch have hatched and are in their respective tubs. The final count is 1 axanthic, 2 albinos, 4 normal condas, 5 normals and 1 holdback. One of the normals and the holdback will be getting their own separate introductions. Now to get everyone feeding and prep for the Astoria x Fawkes clutch that is due to hatch next week.

**p **plife

05/28/2024

05/25/2024

First pip of the season 🥰 looks like a normal or conda 66% het snow from Fleur and Neville. Welcome to the world little one!

**p **plife

05/22/2024

The last 7 days have been a roller coaster. Fleur decided to lay her second clutch last Wednesday night, which was mere hours before I went out of state for a week long vacation. Astoria had her prelay shed, also for a double clutch, a couple days before I left and therefore kept me in suspense the entire time. She ended up laying 7 eggs this morning as I was headed home. I am extremely grateful that I had a helper to watch over everyone. Fleur's clutch A has started dimpling at 46 days (2nd pic), so it looks like I can expect pips to start soon! I realized on getting home that it also looks like Bellatrix is gravid again. I thought for sure she wasn't going to double clutch this year. The 7 from this morning brings it up to 52 eggs this year!

**p **plife

05/03/2024

Neville just shed and he looks so pretty I had to bother him for pictures. He used to be kind of squirrely, but the last year he's turned into the sweetest guy. Lately he's been crawling out of his enclosure to hang out in my lap while I clean.

**p **plife

04/23/2024

I want to say a big thank you to Paul Zarantonello for this beautiful display case. I had heard good things from others about his work and he did not disappoint. I am so very excited to use this case for my first expo in Daytona!

**p **plife

04/20/2024

Bellatrix laid her clutch early this morning. She had 15 fertile, 2 slugs, and 1 that's half calcified. I don't think it's fertile, but incubate until there's no debate! The past two years she has only had 9-10 eggs so this was a surprise. This third clutch brings it up to 40 eggs this year, almost double from last year!

**p **plife

04/16/2024

Astoria laid her clutch this afternoon at 8 days post shed. 11 BIG beautiful eggs and not a single slug. She did so well for her first clutch and is now enjoying a calcium dusted mouse for her efforts.
Superarctic Conda het Albino pos het Sable x Superarctic het Albino pos het Sable

**p **plife

04/06/2024

Fleur finally released her hostages, two weeks later than my guesstimate 🫣 14 beautiful pearly whites and 1 slug. Crossing my fingers for snow this year but I'll be happy with anything ❄️🐍
Conda het Snow x normal het Snow

**p **plife

03/20/2024

Draaken Cove is stepping up in the world! I will be vending for my first time ever at the 35th annual National Reptile Breeder's Expo in Daytona. You can find me at table #360 to the right of the entrance to the main room. Can't wait to meet a bunch of fellow reptile enthusiasts and bump elbows with some great breeders!

03/17/2024

Both of these pretty ladies went to their forever homes this week, one to West Virginia and the other stayed local. I'm so happy for them 🥰

**p **plife

03/13/2024

Special guest appearance from kitty Sonic, who decided the shipping supplies require his seal of approval to avoid cat-astrophe

03/08/2024

Two *very* gravid ladies are thoroughly enjoying their lay boxes. I think we've got about 2-2.5 weeks left until eggs!

**p **plife

03/01/2024

Umm Hufflepuff bud, you are supposed to hold yourself together longer than 5 seconds with the ladies 🫣 no shame in that face

**p **plife

02/20/2024

Fleur and Neville being all cute and snuggly 🤗 two locks so far and working on a third

**p **plife

02/17/2024

This beautiful lady finally found her forever home 🥰

**p **plife

02/09/2024

First lock for Neville and Fleur. Crossing my fingers for snow this year 🤞

**p **plife

02/09/2024

Barely three hours together and Fawkes has already locked for the first time with Astoria. I am really excited for this pair and I hope they both prove het for Sable.

**p **plife

02/09/2024

Second pair for this season, Neville normal dh Snow and Fleur Conda dh Snow.

**p **plife

02/09/2024

01/31/2024

Two more scale babies made it safely to their new homes. I wish you well Dewey and Bacon 🥰

**p **plife

01/29/2024

Just some pretty snek babies enjoying dinner 😊

**p **plife

Address

Springfield, GA
31329

Website

https://www.morphmarket.com/stores/ghsaltie/

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Videos

⚠️⚠️Warning-GRAPHIC PICTURE⚠️⚠️ These pictures are hard to look at, but I feel it is important to be transparent about the ugly side of breeding. I knew going into breeding that it's not always cute pips and happy hogs. One day I would face the ugly side of it. I should consider myself lucky that I have had dozens of healthy, beautiful babies, but it doesn't make it any easier when this day comes around. Bellatrix and Hufflepuff's clutch started hatching early Saturday morning. They were pipping really fast and everything was going great. Sunday afternoon I noticed one of the eggs had turned an opaque brownish color. I thought it just got wet from the baby who had pipped next to it. By monday afternoon there was no change so I decided to cut it open. I knew immediately from the smell that the baby was gone. A female Albino Superconda, perfectly formed minus an open spot on the top of her head. I saw movement in all of the eggs last week, so she must have passed about the time everyone started pipping. The last couple stragglers pipped and made their way out Tuesday, except for one egg that on the outside looked perfect. I cut it, and honestly I had to made a very large window because I wasn't sure the baby was alive. I eventually saw her move her head slightly and I could see the blood vessels pulsing, but she did not look physically well. I left her overnight hoping she just needed some help but this morning there was no change. She hadn't even broken through the membrane inside the egg. I fully removed her from the egg and was able to see how badly she was deformed. Her body was severely stunted and even fused to itself at points. She couldn't move and I thought she had passed until I saw her tongue flick. I had to help her pass. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. These babies are my responsibility, I facilitate them coming into this world and I couldn't help her or her sister. They are now buried together and I can only hope that the

The last couple stragglers from Astoria and Fawkes' clutch finally left their eggs last night. 11 big beautiful babies! #snake #snakes #snakelover #snakebreeder #westernhognosesnake #westernhognose #hognose #hognosesnake #heterodonnasicus #herp #herplife #reptiles #breeder #colubrid #babyanimals #colubridcrazy #addiction #snakeheart #babysnake #Hognosesnakes #hognosebreeder #hognosemorphs #colubridsnakes #plainshognose #snakesarebeautiful #snakesareawesome #2024breedingseason #snakeeggs #yourpetsdaily

Superarctic Albino making its grand entrance 🩷 #hognosebreeder #hognosemorphs #colubridsnakes #plainshognose #snakesarebeautiful #snakesareawesome #2024breedingseason #snakeeggs #yourpetsdaily

First baby to pip at 50 days from Superarctic Conda het Albino pos het Sable x Superarctic het Albino pos het Sable #hognosebreeder #hognosemorphs #colubridsnakes #plainshognose #snakesarebeautiful #snakesareawesome #2024breedingseason #snakeeggs #yourpetsdaily

Three years in and a baby finally "died" on me. Being picked up was just too much for this little girl 🤣 #snake #snakes #snakelover #snakebreeder #westernhognosesnake #westernhognose #hognose #hognosesnake #heterodonnasicus #herp #herplife #reptiles #breeder #colubrid #babyanimals #colubridcrazy #addiction #snakeheart #babysnake #Hognosesnakes #hognosebreeder #hognosemorphs #colubridsnakes #plainshognose #snakesarebeautiful #snakesareawesome #2024breedingseason #snakeeggs #yourpetsdaily

This was taken last night by the camera in my incubator so I apologize for the poor quality. After three years I was finally able to watch a baby cut through and take its first breaths. It absolutely melted my heart seeing this little one burst through the egg. #snake #snakes #snakelover #snakebreeder #westernhognosesnake #westernhognose #hognose #hognosesnake #heterodonnasicus #herp #herplife #reptiles #breeder #colubrid #babyanimals #colubridcrazy #addiction #snakeheart #babysnake #Hognosesnakes #hognosebreeder #hognosemorphs #colubridsnakes #plainshognose #snakesarebeautiful #snakesareawesome #2024breedingseason #snakeeggs #yourpetsdaily

Dude... why sideways 🤦‍♀️ #hognosebreeder #hognosemorphs #colubridsnakes #plainshognose #snakesarebeautiful #snakesareawesome #2024breedingseason #snakeeggs #yourpetsdaily

Eris why must you hate me so, I swear I just want your poop 😭 #snake #snakes #snakelover #snakebreeder #westernhognosesnake #westernhognose #hognose #hognosesnake #heterodonnasicus #herp #herplife #reptiles #breeder #colubrid #babyanimals #colubridcrazy #addiction #snakeheart #babysnake #Hognosesnakes #hognosebreeder #hognosemorphs #colubridsnakes #plainshognose #snakesarebeautiful #snakesareawesome #2024breedingseason #snakesmakinglove #snakeeggs #yourpetsdaily

Sunchip is my oldest Merauke Blue Tongue skink at almost 7y. She hasn't made her official debut on my page yet, but she's happy to reduce waste by consuming Fleur's slug from yesterday. #snake #snakes #snakelover #snakebreeder #westernhognosesnake #westernhognose #hognose #hognosesnake #heterodonnasicus #herp #herplife #reptiles #breeder #colubrid #babyanimals #colubridcrazy #addiction #snakeheart #babysnake #Hognosesnakes #hognosebreeder #hognosemorphs #colubridsnakes #plainshognose #snakesarebeautiful #snakesareawesome #2024breedingseason #snakesmakinglove #snakeeggs #yourpetsdaily

Breeding season has officially begun for 2024 and it's off to a strong start. This is the first season for both Fawkes and Astoria, but he is already working hard at wooing his lady. Superarctic het Albino pos het Sable x Superarctic Conda het Albino pos het Sable #snake #snakes #snakelover #snakebreeder #westernhognosesnake #westernhognose #hognose #hognosesnake #heterodonnasicus #herp #herplife #reptiles #breeder #colubrid #babyanimals #colubridcrazy #addiction #snakeheart #babysnake #Hognosesnakes #hognosebreeder #hognosemorphs #colubridsnakes #plainshognose #snakesarebeautiful #snakesareawesome #2024breedingseason #snakesmakinglove #snakeeggs #yourpetsdaily

Draco putting in the hard work 🥰

This beautiful little lady has given me a couple grey hairs since she hatched. For 2.5 months after hatching she refused every type of food item I offered, regardless of technique, scenting etc. I thought I was going to lose her. I started assist feeding pinkie parts and it was another month before she finally took a toad scented pinkie (this being the second time I tried toad). She has now had her sixth unscented pinkie and is gaining weight steadily. I am so happy she made it through. #snake #snakes #snakelover #snakebreeder #westernhognosesnake #westernhognose #hognose #hognosesnake #heterodonnasicus #herp #herplife #reptiles #breeder #colubrid #babyanimals #colubridcrazy #addiction #snakeheart #babysnake #Hognosesnakes #hognosebreeder #hognosemorphs #colubridsnakes #plainshognose #snakesarebeautiful #snakesareawesome #2023breedingseason #snakesmakinglove #snakeeggs #yourpetsdaily

The past few days have truly been a surprise. Because of the questionable paternity for this clutch, I was not expecting axanthics. I got not one, but two! I had assumed Hufflepuff conda het albino to be the sire, but now I am questioning whether it is Neville after all. And my first set of twins! There is still one more surprise that I am trying to find answers to, so stay tuned!

Newborn bleleles 🥰

My sweet boy Draco will be 7 years old in a couple months. He was my first hognose and started my love for these derpy noodles. #snake #snakes #snakelover #snakebreeder #westernhognosesnake #westernhognose #hognose #hognosesnake #heterodonnasicus #herp #herplife #reptiles #breeder #colubrid #babyanimals #colubridcrazy #addiction #snakeheart #babysnake #Hognosesnakes #hognosebreeder #hognosemorphs #colubridsnakes #plainshognose #snakesarebeautiful #snakesareawesome #2022breedingseason #snakesmakinglove #snakeeggs #yourpetsdaily

Bellatrix chowing down on a frog+rabbit reptilink. Four of my five western hogs readily take reptilinks as well as button quail chicks. Although their staple is still mice I love being able to give my animals variety.