Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My hognose laid 18 eggs and 1 slug yesterday. I placed the eggs in a hovabator (82 degrees) in a tub containing vermiculite and water mixed in a 1:1 ratio by weight. when I got up this morning some of them looked a little dimpled. I assumed that this was caused by dehydration (due to the vermiculite being too dry) and so I added a little more water to the vermiculite, taking care not to get the eggs wet. I'm now waiting to see if the eggs plump back up again. Is there anything else I should do? I'm almost tempted to place the eggs in a plastic tub and try a substrate free method (as humidity in the incubator is high). Has anybody had any success with doing this with hognose eggs? Obviously I'd be careful about not rotating the eggs, but I'm a little reluctant to move them at all. Any advice would be really gratefully received, as this is my first attemt at breeding and I'd really hate to lose the clutch.

Thanks

Jo

What kind of hognose? I myself use perilite mixed at a 1:1 (weight) ratio with water, incubate at 78 to 80 degrees. I use this method with my Tricolors and Westerns. I had a lot of deformities with my tricolors when I incubated at 82. Never tried the other way.
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Jenea
Guardian Reptiles

"The beatings will continue until morale improves!"

Thanks for the reply. I will turn down the temperature a couple of degrees. Still not sure what to do about the substrate though...so once again-grateful for any advice that anyone's got.

thanks

jo