The eggs in the picture appear shiny, maybe the vermiculite mix is too wet? What ratio did you mix the water and vermiculite?



this is what I have done every year:

Just before my females have completed their egg laying shed, I mix up egg laying medium. Using a scale - a cheap kitchen scale or digital scale I measure out the vermiculite and water in a 1.0 to 0.9 ratio, so 10 ounces of vermiculite to 9 ounces of water. Mix it thoroughly so it is an even batch- no wet clumps or dry mix left over. Put it into the incubating box and put the box w/lid into the incubator to allow the temp and humidity to stabilize in the box.

When you get eggs , form a loose depression in the vermiculite in the incub box. place the eggs in the depression and sprinkle vermiculite so each egg is covered or at least in contact with the substrate. the vermiculite should not feel really wet. If the mix is right there should be plenty of space for air to get to the eggs, as well as sufficient moisture to keep them from drying out.

There are many different ways to do this: vermiculite, perlite, sand , paper towels, substrate free, etc. regardless of method what has helped me is having the box ready and stabilized (temp and humidity) before having the eggs. This may help your second clutch of eggs.

Keep us posted on your success- and take notes on what does and doesn't work.

Good luck,

Dave

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