Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Pakistan just laid 8 eggs(only 4 look good),but I need suggestions on incubation.It is my first time w eggs as well. I have the eggs on a tupperwear container with vermiculite. The container has holes around the sides. That container is in a hova bator at about 85-87*. Now I ask,should the tupperwear inside the bator have a lid on or off?How ofter should I spray the eggs?I also hear that eggs from paks(and many cobras)are not very sensitive to temp.I heard you can keep them anywhere from 80* to 90*..is that accurate?Also,the first day,I did a lot of moving of the eggs and opening and closing of the incubator to check/add eggs.I know thats not good but just for the first day should it affect them?Thank for your help and any suggestions

mike
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R.I.P Steve Irwin aka Crocodile Hunter

"Never insult an Alligator until you have crossed the river"-oriental proverb

I don't use an incubator, but I do keep the temps right at 81 - 83 degrees on the shelf where they sit. I mix vermiculite and water 50/50 by weight. I use 6 3/4" or 9 3/4" clear deli cups with no holes in the sides. I use a heated sewing needle to poke 5 or 6 very tiny holes in the lid. Too small for bugs to get in, but enough to allow the eggs to breath. You can put tape over the holes in the sides. I've done that with no problem. Hatching eggs isn't as hard it souunds or as hard as some people make it.

So,I should put tape over the holes i currently have on the tub?And my temps are at 85*ish..is that too warm then?Or do they really have a pretty big range of temps they can hatch at?Any tips on moisture in terms of misting,or is the wet vermiculite good enough for the whole process?

thanks
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R.I.P Steve Irwin aka Crocodile Hunter

"Never insult an Alligator until you have crossed the river"-oriental proverb

I would cover the holes in the side. Bugs can get through those holes. But you need to heat a small sewing needle and poke 5 or 6 tiny holes in the lid. Don't move the needle around, just in and out one time is all it takes.

85 degrees isn't too warm, but it is warmer than I incubate. I incubate mine at 81-83, and I get pretty even sex ratios or more females, than I did when I incubated at 85-86. I'm sure someone will post and say temps have nothing to do with sex determinationin snakes, but myself and several others have found that lower temps during copulation, formation of eggs in the female and incubation, has produced more even ratio clutches or more females.

The only down side to lower temps is it will take a few days longer to hatch, but just a few.

Normally, a 50/50 mixture will provide all the moisture you need, but if the eggs start getting dents in them, you can very lightly mist the eggs. Don't soak them.

I dont normally get on here and get all preachy, but I have to ask......
You werent expecting eggs? This totally caught you off guard? When the eggs get laid....that seems a bit late to start researching the care for them.
I'll assume this was a total surprise for you and give you the benefit of the doubt.
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Tom

"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

I can understand his position. I had a Pak lay eggs a couple years ago, and though I had witnessed copulation, I never saw her swell. She laid a small number of small eggs, so she never showed any obvious signs. Generally I try to have a container with Perlite prepared and the incubator running, but sometimes it just catches you off guard.
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Chance Duncan
www.rvexotics.com