Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Everyone is getting eggs it seems. What is a good temperature to incubate indigo eggs at?

I try to keep ambient incubtion temperature at 75*F, but I have found a bit of fluctuation will not create a problem, unless you allow them to get too hot. I try to avoid temperatures over 78*F, as the core temperature of an egg remains approximately 2*F above the ambient environment temperature, due to the energy extended during embryotic development. However, I have had incubation temperatures spike to 80* F, for very short periods, with no ill effect and I have had incubation temperatures drop as low as 67* F with no ill effect.
Keep in mind, the cooler the incubation temperatures, the longer the incubation period. Longer incubation periods tend to produce larger hatchlings and fewer tail or spinal anomalies, which are often associated with incorrect incubation temperatures...

Good luck,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Jeff is right on; avoid even moderate temps at all costs; anything from 80 and over is cause for concern. Like Jeff, I aim for the mid 70's just to be safe. At those temps you can expect incubation periods of 100-112 days (give or take a few either way; many variables).

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>I try to keep ambient incubtion temperature at 75*F, but I have found a bit of fluctuation will not create a problem, unless you allow them to get too hot. I try to avoid temperatures over 78*F, as the core temperature of an egg remains approximately 2*F above the ambient environment temperature, due to the energy extended during embryotic development. However, I have had incubation temperatures spike to 80* F, for very short periods, with no ill effect and I have had incubation temperatures drop as low as 67* F with no ill effect.
>>Keep in mind, the cooler the incubation temperatures, the longer the incubation period. Longer incubation periods tend to produce larger hatchlings and fewer tail or spinal anomalies, which are often associated with incorrect incubation temperatures...
>>
>>Good luck,
>>
>>Jeff
>>-----
>>Jeff Snodgres
>>University of Arkansas
>>snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
>>501.603.1947
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Thank you for your replies!