Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok guys a buddy of mine and I are having a debate what temp do you guys incubate your eggs at? And how much humidity?
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www.Wood-N-Snakes.com

Hi

I get great results with a non fluctuating temp of 86 and a humidity level of 90%, the medium i use is fine vermiculite and i use 2 thermotubes 2foot long each rated at 120watts each one at the bottom and one at the top both controled by individual thermostats to help stop any fluctuations in the temperature.
I soak the vermiculite in water then squeze into tight balls to extract excess water, i also have a trough of water in the incubator for an ambient humidity outside of the egg containers.

15 mins later

Moist vermiculite. 78-82 degrees with fluctuating temps (day/night).

Keep it simple.

Kerby...

I agree with Kerby. Temps flutuate in the wild. My eggs can go from 70-90f.

I also keep the substrate fairly dry as I have found to wet will cause more problems.

keep it simple!

i try and keep mine between 78-82,kings are EZ though ive been successfull with variants from 70-90 w/o problems. i have noticed kinks at temps kept above 85 for periods of time with some not all. on humiditity i like it around 80-90%realitive,kept much lower will cause eggs to be harder(thick skinned),thus tougher to hatch out imho. ive never used an incubator for colubrid eggs just vermiculite in a shoebox in the top of a closet(if it aint broke)ive always thought hatching was the easiest(less stressful)cycling adults,making introductions,getting copulations,getting viable eggs,thats the hard part imho,i think where mistakes often happen are simple rules of thumb that are avoided.
1.dont handle/jostle eggs.
2.avoid extreme temp spikes in either direction try and keep a constant.
3.mold/flies happen it will not hurt/kill viable embryos,ive heard HORROR stories about trying to cut out bad eggs treat mold w/fungus powder,listerine,peroxide or something else, all of which doing might be killing viable embryos.
4.leave the eggs alone.
5.allow some air exchange.
anyway after reading my post kinda sounds like a lecture its not meant that way it just is whats worked for me hope you have a great year,,,,,,,,,thomas davis

A really big point I forgot to add. ALLOW SOME AIR CHANGE".

I open my tubs once in a while for fresh air or i drill a few holes in the side to allow venilation. If humidity builds up to much I have problems.