Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This was a first for me. I had to move a few clutches of eggs from one incubator box to another. They happened to be western hognose eggs. The eggs were laid on 5/20 so they have been in the incubator for about 3 weeks. I carefully picked up each egg individually and, without rotating them, put them in the new box. I checked on them later this evening and noticed that the tips of some of the eggs had changed from the normal "egg white," to sort of a translucent tan/grey.

I know that once the eggs are placed in the incubator, they should not be disturbed, but I had no choice. Could I have compromised the developing snakes by moving the eggs? Has anyone had a similar experience?

Thanks,

Demian

>>This was a first for me. I had to move a few clutches of eggs from one incubator box to another. They happened to be western hognose eggs. The eggs were laid on 5/20 so they have been in the incubator for about 3 weeks. I carefully picked up each egg individually and, without rotating them, put them in the new box. I checked on them later this evening and noticed that the tips of some of the eggs had changed from the normal "egg white," to sort of a translucent tan/grey.

Kinda sounds like the substrate in the new set up is too wet.
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PHWyvern

Actually, the substrate (perlite water)is not as wet as the previous substrate. Plus, the eggs do not touch the substrate. They sit on top of that egg crate plastic grid material which keeps them about a 1/2 inch above the substrate.

Any suggestions to prevent the eggs from going bad (if they are headed in that direction) would be very appreciated.

Thanks,

I've moved snake eggs around in the past, and they all hatched. I've even dropped a box of some (about 2 1/2 feet) and they all hatched. Colubrid eggs are tough. Heck, I brought one egg to a school after about 40 days of incubation. We set it up there in a plastic box and paper towel. 30 days later it hatched.

Point is, your move from one incubator to another is likely not a problem unless there was some major trauma, and I think it takes an aweful lot to do damage.

One guy on the hybrid forum did an experiment rotating ratsnake eggs at various times during the incubation. They all hatched too.
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Mark