Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Had a clutch of 10 this week from a 277 female. The eggs came out in rather poor shape. Very soft, not a good "shell". At first glance, I thought it was a total slugfest. However, candling them show a different story.

7 of the 10 eggs show a good, actually, a very good embryo spot. They are not veiny, but they were definitely fertilized. As a side note, the female was supplemented with "dusted" mice.

Because of their condition, I'm incubating them in a SIMS container, not directly in the substrate. This is new for me this year, and I hadn't really planned on using it with Gray-bands, but seems like a good time to try.

I'm just wondering if anyone has successfully hatched a clutch in this condition? I don't think they'll hatch, but looking for others experience.
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Brian Suter

www.serpenteer.com

I have seen some poor looking eggs hatch.. but, in my experience if the eggs are soft/wet a few hours after deposition then it is not a good sign.. regardless of how they candle..

Post up some pictures of your eggs and you will get better opinions..

~ Mike Russo

Yep, Mike, that's my opinion also. I've had terrible eggs hatch, but never the soft, flexible ones. Though I've never had so many candle good. As in they all did. It's like they were fertilized, but didn't quite develop. Also, 10 eggs was a very large clutch for this female. She's 4, a good eater and hasn't grown at all in over a year, so she's a smaller female. I was surprised at the number a bit.
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Brian Suter

www.serpenteer.com

If you don't see veins develop after about a week, then they are most likely infertile.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra