Reptile & Amphibian Forums

so my jungle laid 15 eggs on wednesday, they are being incubated at 89 degrees and humidity at 90%. The qustion is it normal for the eggs to begin denting in alittle so early? Thanks for the help!

A humidity level of 90% would be the minimum for this species in my opinion. Slight wrinkles or dimples can occur with viable eggs, but it is also possible that your humidity is lower than indicated by your meter, and/or substrate too dry. Many brands can be highly inaccurate at the higher humidity levels. Here's a way to check any hygrometer for accuracy:

1. Place a teaspoon of salt in a bottle cap or small cup and dampen it with a few drops of water (without dissolving it) to make it the consistency of wet sand.

2. Carefully place the wet salt and the hygrometer, or its probe if that type, inside a see-through container and close tightly. Don't allow any of the salt to directly contact the hygrometer. Tupperware type is best, but you can use a zip lock bag provided it seals completely and you leave as much air as possible inside as well, or other type of plastic food storage container as long as it seals airtight. It may be better with the probe types to place the entire unit, probe and all, within the container so as to insure that everything is air tight.

3. Let it sit for at least 8 hours at room temperature and note the reading on the hygrometer without opening the container. It should read 75%, and the difference is how much your hygrometer is off.

4. If it does have an adjustment screw or other adjustment device, adjust to 75%, through a small hole made in the bag if necessary.

The relative humidity equalibrium in the interior air produced by the saturated salt produces the accuracy. I have an expensive certified dial hygrometer I purchased many years ago and have checked it periodically using this method, and it shows to be a very accurate way to check hygrometers as when done correctly, the humidity within the container or bag is always within a percent or two of 75%.

Kelly