Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Guys,

I made my original post back when my first ever clutch of Pit eggs were first laid. If you want to see the original post, here is the link:

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1821073,1821073

I just wanted to know from everyone...what is the longest you have ever had Pit (preferably Bull Snake) eggs take before the fist one pipped and what were your temps?

I have been incubating my eggs well on the cooler side of the normal range...typically around 77-78 degrees but they have reached 80 on several occasions. I know that is under what temps are normally recommended, but I am just using room temp and not any extra heating.

The eggs are currently at day 73 and still look healthy and fertile, so I'm not too worried but just starting to get impatient. The only thing I have noticed, which I have heard may be signs that they are getting close, is that the egg box is now developing much more condensation in it than it did before (not dripping on the eggs or anything though) and most of the eggs have dimpled in a little. Are these signs they are getting close to hatching?

Any experiences or information will be greatly appreciated!
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Take care,

Alex Pepper

CBB '07 1.1 Aspidites ramsayi--Woma Pythons (Don Hamper/Rare Earth Stock)
CBB '08 1.1 Bothrochilus boa--Bismarck Ringed Pythons (Tom Keogan Line High Contrast)
CBB '07 1.0 Heterodon simus--High Red Southern Hognose Snake (Tom Pinson Line Red)
CBB '07 1.1 Pituophis catenifer sayi--Marathon, Texas Out-crossed Stillwater Hypomelanistic Bull Snakes
CBB '08 1.1 Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi--Black Pine Snakes (John Ginter Stock)
CBB '06 & '08 1.1 Eublepharis macularius--Blazing Blizzard & Reverse Stripe Tangerine Albino Leopard Geckos "Blaze" & "Angie"
CBB '02 0.1 Hemitheconyx caudicinctus--Stiped African Fat-tailed Gecko "Smeagol"
CBB '03 0.1 Canis domesticus--Cocker Spaniel "Cupcake"
CBB '99 0.1 Canis domesticus--Yellow Labrador Retriever "Freckles"

Happy Herping!

If they still look healthy then there really isn't any problem....and yes ...dimpling suggests that the hatch is near.

I'm guessing this reply is late and they have already begun to come out.

Actually, no...still nothing has started hatching yet but thanks for your reassurance.

I'd still really like to hear anyone's longest Pit incubation and approximately what the temps were if known.
-----
Take care,

Alex Pepper

CBB '07 1.1 Aspidites ramsayi--Woma Pythons (Don Hamper/Rare Earth Stock)
CBB '08 1.1 Bothrochilus boa--Bismarck Ringed Pythons (Tom Keogan Line High Contrast)
CBB '07 1.0 Heterodon simus--High Red Southern Hognose Snake (Tom Pinson Line Red)
CBB '07 1.1 Pituophis catenifer sayi--Marathon, Texas Out-crossed Stillwater Hypomelanistic Bull Snakes
CBB '08 1.1 Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi--Black Pine Snakes (John Ginter Stock)
CBB '06 & '08 1.1 Eublepharis macularius--Blazing Blizzard & Reverse Stripe Tangerine Albino Leopard Geckos "Blaze" & "Angie"
CBB '02 0.1 Hemitheconyx caudicinctus--Stiped African Fat-tailed Gecko "Smeagol"
CBB '03 0.1 Canis domesticus--Cocker Spaniel "Cupcake"
CBB '99 0.1 Canis domesticus--Yellow Labrador Retriever "Freckles"

Happy Herping!

This forum is kinda slow so I will give you my experience while you wait. I've only hatched out 2 clutches of bulls so far.

The first clutch of 6 eggs was incubated at 80-81 in vermiculite and hatched out in roughly 67 days.

My last and most recent of 13 was incubated in sphagnum moss at 84-85 and hatched out in only 51 days.

So judging by your lower temps I'd say you should expect a later hatch date. Both clutches dimpled severely about a week before hatching and all of the babies came out healthy and hissing.