Here are some tips for maternal incubation that I have used successfully with jungle carpets and childrens pythons. The cage must be set up so the female and the eggs are around a constant 89 degrees F. I do this by placing a heat pad underneath the enclosure or incubation chamber to keep the temp constant. The nice thing is there can be some variation on temperatures in the cooler direction with no ill effects. There needs to be humidity in the enclosure, but not on the substrate or the eggs, that is the substrate that the female is on needs to be completely dry. The first time I tried it with childrens pythons the substrate was too wet and I lost a few eggs that were on the bottom. I use a small platic container filled half with green moss and let the female compact it a while before she lays. You can add water to the lower levels of the moss as long as the moisture doesn't reach the upper layer. this will increase humidity, but not the wetness. I also have a water container right next to the incubation cotainer to increase relative humidity.



In summary, wetness kills eggs but humidity is neccessary.



Good luck,

Justin J
AAR

[ Show Entire Thread ]