Reptile & Amphibian Forums

While cleaning out cages today with my daughter, she said, " Dad, do Ringed Pythons lay eggs?" I said,"why?" She said, "Are those eggs?" Sure enough, my 4' 4yr old female had dropped six and was still going. I hadn't planned on breeding any of my 4.30 Rings until next year. I'll try and get some pics when she's done. Now, my thoughts are maternal brooding versus the incubator. Any feedback?

Mitch

probably a little late, but, I would only use maternal incubation if the female has the capability of keeping the temps where they need to be thru shivering or other means without having to leave them bask and return to the clutch, incubators are best used when females cannot control the variables to successfully hatch the eggs. I have no idea if these pythons are capable of controlling the required temps. So can not really advise you, but if they can- use maternal if they can not- use incubator.

Good luck regardless!!!
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Thanks,

Frank Roberts
Roberts' Realm Of Reptile Research

Thanks. I decided to use the incubator. Hopefully, I'll get some to hatch.

Mitch

I know that this is an old topic, but...

I both agree and disagre with this comment. Evolution is a tricky thing! While some snakes can regulate their own incubation conditions, (mainly the giant pythons) the eggs laid by those snakes are far less capable of surviving even small changes in those conditions. Conversely, the eggs laid by snakes that are not capable of self-thermoregulation (like the Ringed pythos) can easily survive small, temporary changes in their incubation conditions. Since, if conditions are not perfect, the mother must leave the egss to bask or cool for a shor time, the egss are somewhat hardier.

So, with "non-quivering" snakes, the mean conditions, in the enclosure do not have to be as steady and perfect, which seems to represent better chances with maternal incubation. However, this also means that your enclosure must have several, more specific condition areas, that DO have to be more perfect. 6 of one.....

The bottom line is that if you want the largest percentage of successful hatchings, I believe in artificial incubation, regardless of the breed or its thermoregulation capabilities. I simply find this stuff fascinating! Best of luck Mitch! - Brian

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Thanks,

Frank Roberts
Roberts' Realm Of Reptile Research