Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My first clutch of eggs has died. I think it was a combination of the fact that they were in the improper temps and humidity for about a week before I could get an incubator delivered and set up for them. Also, I wasn't aware at first that the perlite mixture I was using had trace amounts of ammonium based fertilizers to aid plant growth. I think those fertilizers may have caused some ammonia poisoning that contributed to them dying.

Six years of waiting and work, all to watch six eggs go down the drain. But, lots of lessons learned, so hopefully next year will go better.

Dave.

Dave,

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. That must be disappointing after all of the work you put into it. I'm glad to see that you are looking at the somewhat brighter side of learning from it. Do you plan on breeding this coming season? Good luck!
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Teresa
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3.0 Dogs (2.0 Chihuahuas, 1.0 Toy Poodle)
1.5 Cats
1.0 Cockatiel
1.0 Indonesian Blue tongue skink

Ball Pythons
0.1 100% Het Albino (Watsini)
1.0 Pastel (Sweets)
0.1 Spider (Daisy)

I definitely plan to breed this coming season. I have one female that just dropped this unexpected clutch on me, so I probably won't breed her unless she's back up to weight later in the season. My other female is a finicky eater, but should be up to a good 1500-1600 grams this coming spring, hopefully.

If neither of my females are ready to go, I'll have to wait a season to fatten them up, but I do plan on breeding. I will be much more prepared next year (or the next year I'm able to breed) for whatever happens.

I'm also hoping to be able to save enough to get either a cinammon female or spider female to eventually match up with my male pastel.

Dave.

Having an incubator ready is very important as you found out. Also consider NOT using a substrate and try incubating the eggs on a plastic platform that rests above 1/2 " of water.. The eggs do not need a substrate to hatch , the substrate is just to keep the moisture level up, water is all you need it supplies all the moisture you possibly need for the eggs . Just be sure that the eggs can't contact the water AT ALL and that the tub doesn't "fog over" , having one or two 1/16" holes drilled in the lid works well to prevent that and also allows for just a little air exchange as well..

Better luck to you next year, we ALL have lost eggs, it sucks I know but it does happen. Learn from it and prevent that mistake next time!

Anthony McCain
McCain Reptiles

Sorry to hear. I somehow managed to get home with a bag of that Miracle-Gro perlite with fertilizer this year and it killed the bottom layer in my first clutch. The three eggs on top that didn't actually contact the original perlite hatched out nice babies. Dumped the rest of the bag into some potted plants and they are doing well but deadl poison for ball python eggs.

I actually hunted down vermiculite this past season because I couldn't find Perilite that wasn't fertilized. Tried 5 different stores in town before I found vermiculite.

Sorry for the loss, but as you said, lessons learned.
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

They usually have large bags of both vermiculite and perlite. READ THE CONTENTS listing always! If you are not certain, there will be trained and knowledgeable people working there who can decipher content labels for you.

Good luck on your future breedings!

table of contents should read one word each bag....either vermiculite or perlite....?

you can go to building supply stores also for perlite.....ask for "block fill" ...it is used to fill in cinder block walls for soundproofing them...big bag I got 10 years ago is still here, actually just cut the bottom with mower and it is spilling all over the shed........ever see what happens when you sweep alot into the yard and hit it with the mower...?....white cloud....poof.....sucks...LOL...I run away....

.....I use vermiculite, prefer the larger stuff if possible....and reuse it year after year till i think it gets too ugly......(it's just a cooked and popped rock, it won't spoil)....

...
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................JY