Posted by:
Gregg_M_Madden
at Sun Feb 21 00:27:34 2010 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Gregg_M_Madden ]
Jon, it sounds like you are getting a bit defensive... I did not make my statement to start an argument... It was to correct a common misconception... I do have evidence and I have also spent many years feild herping and using temp probes in known nest spots and temp gunning basking spots and what not...
Here is a small home test you can do... During egg season,dig a hole in the ground only 6 inches deep in the ground... Put a temp probe in that hole and burry it... Keep an eye on the temps for a few days... I can tell you that the temps will not fluctuate anywhere near 10 degrees... If they fluctuate 5 degrees I will be shocked...
Many snakes will lay eggs in rotting logs, and under rocks... These are areas where temps stay pretty stable... The rotting logs stay a constant temp because of the composting plant matter... It gives off a constant heat... There are not many reptiles that leave their eggs out in the elements and I would go as far as to say no snakes leave their eggs out in the elements...
Also, these hatched snake eggs you heard of, were they hognose eggs and are you certain they were hatched and not eaten??? I have found piles broken open box turtle eggs in places I know a box turtle would never lay eggs... A dried scavanged egg looks almost exactly like a dried hatched egg...
[ Hide Replies ]
|
RE: Incubation temp...? - Gregg_M_Madden, Sun Feb 21 00:27:34 2010