Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey Guys,

One of my female Zonatas laid 6 perfect eggs today. It was a huge relieve because I had a female just a couple of days ago lay 4 duds(hard, twisted and yellow)

I currently have the eggs in an aquarium heater heated incubator. The temperature is 82-84. What type of incubation setups do you guys use? Temps?

Also the eggs are stuck to the bottom of the nest box, so I just put vermiculite around them. Could this poise a problem?

I hatched them out last year; but I like to stay on top of the game on current methods and developing techniques. Also last year the hatchlings had crooked tails. That might be because the female was small when she laid them.

Thanks!
Luc Cauthorn

I currently have the eggs in an aquarium heater heated incubator. The temperature is 82-84. What type of incubation setups do you guys use? Temps?

I have been breeding and hatching eggs for years and never never used an incubator. Most people I know that do (did) killed the eggs.

Just stick them on a top shelve closet. Would hate to see you lose those Z eggs.

BTW which zonata are we talking about?
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I have no experience with zonata, but I would hazard a guess that those tail kinks were probably incubation temp related.

Good luck this year!
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Diego

SWCHR

I have to use an incubator. I heat my house with a wood stove-not one of the best methods. Temps flectuate quite often. What about lowering the temperatures to like 78?

They are Zonata Zonata X Zonata Multicincta=(Intergrades)

Thanks!

Luc Cauthorn

Temps flectuate quite often. What about lowering the temperatures to like 78

I actually prefer that my eggs temsp flucturate becauee that is what they do in nature. Kingsnake eggs are alot tougher than people realize.

I have hatched kingsnake eggs (and also Zonata eggs) at temps way below 78F. It just takes a little longer than 60 days for them to hatch.

I would rather be a few days late than mistakenly cook the eggs.
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Hey Luc,

long time no speak. Hope you are well. I really feel that 82 - 84F is a bit high for z eggs. Simply stated, given their environment, I believe slightly lower temps are in order and those few degress can make all the difference. I utilize room temperature each and every year with excellent success.

Once the eggs are produced I place 'em into a plastic shoe box half filled with slightly dampened coarse vermiculite. I don't bury the egss at all but rather allow them to rest atop the vermiculite, and the box has several quarter inch holes as well to allow for air and humidity exchange.

I then take these plastic shoe boxes (with lid on...) and place them into a very large clear plastic storage bin that is 1/3 filled with water. In this water I have several clean bricks that serve as resting spots above the water for these egg-filled shoeboxes. I place a thermometer probe inside one of the egg boxes and then pladce the lid on the large storage box. Thus, you have small egg-filled shoe boxes resting above an endless supply of humidity inside of a bigger box that holds everything.

Lastly, I use a strip of 11-inch wide Flexwatt (set at 75-80F) under this large storage box to slightly warm the water. With this system I incubate the eggs at an almost-constant 72-75F temperature. Hatchlings emerge at around 80-90 days and look spectacular.

Here's a Cascade intergrade (multicincta x zonata) that may look familiar...

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Jerry Kruse

"Rrrighttttt . . ." -- Dr. Evil

Hey Jerry!

How are those two I sent you?

My female actually laid 7 eggs! I found another one. If I'm not mistaken that is pretty large clutch!

This year looks brighter for me than last year; you know what I mean. lol
Both of my females have laid one was a dud clutch the other one was 7 perfect eggs. I have two more in pre-lay sheds one probably with 5 the other one, I wanna say 2.

My setup also has the constant humidity; I like your method better though. I think I'll just set my temp to 74. I thought that there probably had to be a better temp. Where they come from it gets cold at night and hot during the day. Sooo the eggs would have to withstand these flectuations and hatch out the jewels of the cascades.

But in my artifital egg hatching simulator I will set the temps to a more, shall we say safe temperature of 74. lol

Great talking with ya Jerry and thanks guys for the advice!

Jerry if you want some more this year I would def be interested in a trade. I love working with Z's

Luc Cauthorn

oh BTW that female looks GREAT!