Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i read an article in a reptile magazine recently from a breeder of ball pythons. While discussing incubation techniques, he mentioned that maternal incubation is a very overlooked and often viable option. it went on to mention the abilities of ball python mothers to regulate the relative temperature and humidity directly around the clutch and stated that hatch rates would be very good as long as optimal temps/humid was kept in the enclosure. so i guess what im getting at is...is maternal incubation a practical option to consider? or should one stick stricktly to controlled artificial incubation? thx

Many people have had luck with maternal incubation...but, others prefer controlled temp for a few reasons.

1. They are in control of EVERYTHING
2. That's 3 months worth of meals that your female is missing. If you incubate the eggs, she can eat...hence gaining more weight for next season.
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-Man fears the beast in the Wolf because he does not understand the beast within himself.

..why do it.......like said..too much stress for the female to set on eggs for 2 months........not eating and probably not drinking either usually........

the het ghost that laid for me was dropping her last egg last night when I went to bed........when I got home I took her eggs,...........wrapped her around the water bowl while she hissed and complained........she smelled the cold fresh water and drank right away.....then she ate a gerbil an hour later.....

why make them wait?.....

Hova-Bator incubators cost $45..........
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JYReptiles

Scales-N-Tails Reptiles ltd........Pa

This might be helpful.
Maternal vs Artificial

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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles