Reptile & Amphibian Forums

...that is the question. I know this can be a topic of much debate on this forum but I need to get some opinions. I am currently incubating my first clutch of Ball Python eggs. I was completely content with letting them pip on their own, but I'm starting to get a little concerned. Maybe it's just nerves. It is now day 58 and about an hour from becoming day 59. Just looking to see if there is a point where even the most hesitant of breeders go ahead and cut.

What temp are you incubating at?
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John Vandegrift

there isn't anything better than opening the incubator up and seeing a head popped out of an egg...that you did not cut!!!! I have 3 different incubators set up...I have 1 that the eggs are pipping on day 57 to 58 and another that i am on day 62 and still waiting. good luck!!!
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Michael Enriquez

At what temp have you been incubating...if you don't mind me asking...just curious...isn't 62 days pretty long?
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Executive Reptiles
Amanda Kingsbury & David Kendrick
www.executivereptiles.com

A rock steady 89F with no power interruptions.

Hey Larry,I would let them go for about 3 or 4 more days or so, just to see if they pip on there own. Their is nothing like looking in the incubator and seeing the little snakes noses pokeing out of the eggs!!!!!!!!! They may take a little longer to hatch out, because the female took a little longer to lay her eggs. If you end up cutting them call me and let me know how they are doing. GOOD LUCK WITH THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BOB

LOL...I am not sure why people make such a big deal about cutting open eggs, sure they are able to do it themselves, and the argument that they do it in nature...well, Yeah..they do...but this is not nature...

We put these animals in boxes, feed them more than they probably would feed on in the wild, the eggs are most of the time incubated artificially....why would cutting the eggs open be any different... everything else is not natural...,.

Honestly, I would cut them open, as long as your careful, there should be no problem at all, I have seen a few videos of breeders just taking a razor blade, and slicen and dicen...I guess when you've done it hundreds of times...it gets to be quick...but yikes..lol I wouldn't go all suishi on the eggs, but a little cut to open the egg up is not going to hurt anything in my opinion...

I see nothing wrong with carefully cutting them open...I personally wait till I see little "Scratches" like they are going to start to cut threw on thier own, but havn't yet...but if its been that long...I would think it would be ok...

don't some people say after 55 days its cool to cut?....

Let us know what happens either way...GOOD LUCK

Last season I cut open our Jungle Carpet Python eggs, and it was just fine...

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Executive Reptiles
Amanda Kingsbury & David Kendrick
www.executivereptiles.com

Its funny how when people cut and it turns out fine, no one says anything but when someone cuts and there are issues the whole big debate about cutting comes up. I sincerely hope your babies are wonderful whichever method you choose to go with.

Would only be a couple...like cutting to early...or not being careful and cutting the snake...

What other issues could arise from cutting open the eggs? If you have incubated them artificially...at 88-89' and its been almost 59 days...they should be ready anytime...and if your careful...I don't see a problem...

Can't go all butcher knife into the egg, nor can you cut them open at 30-40 days into incubation...but the cenario he laid out seemed acceptable to me to carefully cut them open...
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Executive Reptiles
Amanda Kingsbury & David Kendrick
www.executivereptiles.com

days till pipping depends on temps and moisture and temp of the female prior to laying........
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...........51 days to 65 days......
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