Posted by:
HappyHillbilly
at Sun Jun 21 16:05:31 2009 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by HappyHillbilly ]
I agree that the incubating temperature range is greater than most people realize. Last year & the year before I incubated my Burmese python eggs at 92 degrees F. This year I alternated between 90 - 91, mostly at 91, for testing purposes. I believe the important factors of good incubation are as follows:
1 - Knowing exactly what the temperature is by using quality measuring devices (the more devices, until you can actually trust one or two, the better).
2 - An incubator that seals good, not letting temps/humidity escape.
3 - Proper heat source placement so that the tub(s) are heated evenly throughout. If using large incubators, like a converted fridge, temps can easily vary a degree or two from shelf to shelf, front to back, etc... Small computer fans can help fix this.
Let me point out a few key words or phrases from your post, Rick, that leads me to wonder about temp fluctuations in your case:
* I am quite sure that the temps were stable - I checked multiple times daily.
If you had to open your incubator to check the temps it lost some heat & could've spiked rebuilding it. When I fisr set my converted fridge up a few years ago I ran it for a few weeks before putting eggs in it. I checked it about once a day or once every other day for the first week or two, after I saw it was stable I only checked the internal temps once a week. This year I only checked it every two weeks or so. That's because after two years of proper operation I trusted it. I just made sure it had power & that was it.
* Another one has some really cool striping
The only thing that I know that causes striping on Burmese pythons is temperatures being too high. Was the kinked snake's egg next to the striped one?
As for the potential twin - that happens from time to time and is just one of nature's things. I had the same thing happen to me last year. One snake formed & hatched while it's potential twin never developed. The one that hatched was smaller than the rest of the clutch, and in my case, she didn't make it. She never ate and I might've waited too long to force feed her. When I did force feed her the stress of it killed her within a few hours aftwards. It broke my heart, too, like you feel about the kinked snake. Don't let it get to you, but it's good to see that you care so much about 'em all.
In the photo below, the smaller snake is the supposed twin with the undeveloped embryo seen. I put one of the other, average size hatchlings in the pic with it for size referrence.
Hang in there!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American
www.natures-signature.com
[ Hide Replies ]
- Kinks - nagrag, Sat Jun 20 10:44:58 2009
- RE: Kinks - Tom_Reagan, Sat Jun 20 11:15:08 2009
 RE: Kinks - HappyHillbilly, Sun Jun 21 16:05:31 2009
- RE: Kinks - nagrag, Mon Jun 22 16:00:13 2009
- RE: Kinks - HappyHillbilly, Tue Jun 23 13:22:00 2009
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