Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My ball laid eggs on the FEB 7 or 8 while I was away on travel. I got them on the 10th and put them in the incubator. When I removed them from the female she was incubating them and they had dimpled into about 20-25% of their original size. They've been incubating since and still have great big healthy blood veins when candled. The problem is that they continue to lose their shape/volume and I'm assuming I;ve got the substrate too dry. I feared having it too wet but it looks like I should've gone with more wet than more dry. Tonight I looked at them again and they still have healthy blood vessels (big ones) but the eggs were again shrinking inward. I added more water to the vermiculite. Should I remove the eggs from and put them on a wetter substrate? Will they fill back up if provided more water/humidity?

Thanks....noob with python eggs and soon to have alot more.

Russ

They can be brought back if not too far gone. I'm sure conditions vary for different incubators but I mix my vermiculite a little wetter for Balls vs. colubrids due to the higher temps. and only use one hole in the egg box. Temps. inside the egg box will usually build the last 2 weeks of incubation and I'll uncover another hole.
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Dale....dgoins222@yahoo.com
www.LibertyReptiles.com

I would elevate the eggs over water(no substrate method) on a flourecent light grid,this way your not guessing and you get 100% humidity!I have never put holes in the containers, opening the lid every few days will give the eggs enough air, if the eggs are really dehydrated, you can put damp spagnum moss over them until they rehydrate.

Good luck!,

Joe.