Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I will be breeding kings for the first time this year, first time to breed snakes period. I'm gonna pick up a hovabator from LLL. First, in the package deal they're offering right now, it comes with two punds of hatchrite, that'll be more than enough for one clutch, right? How does hatchrite compare to vermiculite? Would I be better off getting vermiculite. Second, will I need to pick up a little thermometer to keep in there all the time? Is it better to have one inside at all times or is it possible to run a probe in there and have the screen outside the incubator? Thanks for the help, and like I said, this is my first time to breed snakes, so you'll be hearing from me a lot probably.

>>I will be breeding kings for the first time this year, first time to breed snakes period. I'm gonna pick up a hovabator from LLL. First, in the package deal they're offering right now, it comes with two punds of hatchrite, that'll be more than enough for one clutch, right? How does hatchrite compare to vermiculite? Would I be better off getting vermiculite. Second, will I need to pick up a little thermometer to keep in there all the time? Is it better to have one inside at all times or is it possible to run a probe in there and have the screen outside the incubator? Thanks for the help, and like I said, this is my first time to breed snakes, so you'll be hearing from me a lot probably.

Two pounds should be enough to incubate one clutch of eggs. Hatch rite is different than vermiculite (don't recall what it is, maybe chopped up perlite?), I believe that they have included the water in with the substrate ("attached" so all you have to do is place your eggs in the container and add it. I have only seen it once, haven't used it but it is less messy than vermiculite.
Last I remember hovabator included an inexpensive thermometer with the kit. I would get a digital thermometer with a probe to calibrate this to be sure its accurate. Just a matter of preference, I would also get the hovabator with the fan instead of the one with only the heating element.
Hope you have fun.

daveb

I would also get the hovabator with the fan instead of the one with only the heating element.

I've heard those can dry out the eggs.
-----
x.y L. getula californiae (Cal. King)
x.y L. getula nigrita (MBK)
x.y L. getula floridana (Brooksi)
x.y Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
0.1 Pituophis catenifer catenifer (Pacific gopher)
0.1 Heterodon nasicus (W Hognose)
x.y.z Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata - (Cal. Alligator Lizard)

I've used the hovabator for Kingsnake eggs with great results. Highly recommended. The Hatchrite is supposed to not need water. It is already mixed in. Sounds pretty easy. Follow Incubator and Hatchrite instructions fully, and you should have no problems.