Hi Leigh-Anne,
Handling and incubating panther eggs is not as simple as many folks think - or some breeders will admit.
Over the past few years we have lost some eggs too... yet some eggs that we thought were not going to hatch - did.
I generally discourage folks from using the "egg incubators" that are styrofoam boxes with heaters.... these can malfunction and destroy new generations.
We use plastic shoe boxes (Sterilite or Rubbermaid), add a mix of vermiculite and perlite - barely moist. Why a mix??? Well, currently, this method is working better for us than just vermiculite or just perlite.
When using perlite, use a thick layer (2-3" deep) and add water until it is 1/2" deep on the bottom. Then add the eggs. Tuck them (horizontally) into the perlite (half way up the sides of the egg).
When using vermiculite, use 2" and add small amounts of water, then mix and mix. Test the moistness by squeezing it between your index finger and thumb. If you get 1 drop of water, add a bit more vermiculite and mix, mix, mix. If it was dry - add water by small amounts until you have the right ratio. The vermiculite should be moist - but not drippy. Place the eggs into this the same way as above.
We then place the eggs in a dark closet that stays between 68-74F. Now.... we wait.
Check the eggs after 1 week, then another week. If you have any of them mould and discolour - remove them from the box (be sure to get all the surrounding mold.
If you need to add water - carefully add near the side of the container - no need to wash the eggs down.
We have found that letting the medium get dryer in the last 2 months works good. But if the eggs get too dry, they can wither prematurely. A balance must be reached. If you see any eggs dimple, you may have to add a bit more moisture.
Now... we approach the subject of the "eggs gone bad"
Some females will lay 1 or 2 clutches before they lay a perfect clutch (all eggs are viable). The secret lies somewhere in the female's health (and most likely her parents' health). Many experienced breeders get clutches that there are only a few viable eggs - the rest go bad. Many breeders have clutches that go full term - only to have dead hatchlings. The same breeder can have several clutches that are perfect - all hatch and all do well.
There is simply not enough scientific information about the panther egg-laying/incubation/hatch rates, etc. yet Until some hard guidelines are set down - it is a risky business at best.
P. S. If you have an egg that looks good - but it hasn't hatched in a timely fashion - DON'T discard it. We had one egg (from a clutch of panthers) sit for a year before it hatched. All the other eggs in that clutch hatched at 8.5 months. Go figure!
Hope this helps some,
Morgana - Reptayls, Ltd.
