Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am curious what others who have bred gray-banded kings have had for incubation times. Mine are at 71 days, at a temp of 80-82. They all still look good, with the exception of two that have had fungus almost from the very beginning. Those two have caved in quite a bit in the last week or so. One other has dimpled a little bit.

What is interesting is that one of the fungused eggs is attached to 3 others, and the fungus has not spread.

Do any of you ever cut the eggs if they don't pip after a certain time? I have heard of neonates being unable to cut their way out.

Sorry for being a worrier, and thanks in advance for your input!

Here's the mom a couple of years ago.

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Kent

1.1 Hypo (het lavender, striped) cornsnakes, 2010
1.2 Gray-banded kingsnakes, blairs phase, 2008
1.1 Oregon rubber boas, w/c 200?

Hey Kent- I first bred my alterna about 6 years ago. I was just like you, probably read all that I could, post many questions and asked for advice. I had 7 eggs incubating at 80 degrees and expected them to hatch at 60 days...well, by day 80, i'm worried...at day 90, one piece of advice i received was carefully cut one open...disaster...perfectly formed, but didnt make it. The others hatched starting at day 97...5 years later I bred again. left eggs alone and they started hatching at day 87 at 80 degrees. while many like to cut eggs and are sucessful, I wont do it. This is not my livlihood, only a hobby and I wait for them to tell me they are ready to come out. It sounds like you are doing everything right. the dimpling on egg is an indicator that pipping is near. Be patient! Dave.

Thanks Dave! Knowing what you experienced helps alot. I won't worry (as much!)
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Kent

1.1 Hypo (het lavender, striped) cornsnakes, 2010
1.2 Gray-banded kingsnakes, blairs phase, 2008
1.1 Oregon rubber boas, w/c 200?

I remember this snake; she was in a Fauna ad and I really wanted her but $$$ shortage at the time...stunning animal!

If the eggs look white and healthy don't mess with them. That is my newbie advice. These times that are given for what will hatch at what temperature when are variable, to say the least. It is not like cooking a turkey with the little pop up button that tells you when it is done! LOL!
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Bob
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire
Keeping cats allows man to cohabitate with tigers. Keeping reptiles allows man to cohabitate with dinosaurs.

Bob, you must have seen a similar snake in the classifieds, since this one wasn't there. I bought her at a reptile show.

Thanks for the input. I know you can't always go by the recipe and expect it to turn out like you expect.

Great looking little ones you have by the way. I have considered getting a pair of L. p. knoblochis, and seeing your pyros makes me want them even more!
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Kent

1.1 Hypo (het lavender, striped) cornsnakes, 2010
1.2 Gray-banded kingsnakes, blairs phase, 2008
1.1 Oregon rubber boas, w/c 200?

I am sure I have seen her photo before; a beauty on the fence. But maybe it was in a general post or something. She is just awesome!
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Bob
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire
Keeping cats allows man to cohabitate with tigers. Keeping reptiles allows man to cohabitate with dinosaurs.

I have posted her pic on this forum at some time in the past.
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Kent

1.1 Hypo (het lavender, striped) cornsnakes, 2010
1.2 Gray-banded kingsnakes, blairs phase, 2008
1.1 Oregon rubber boas, w/c 200?

It's been a long time since I hatched any Alterna, so I don't have any data there, but I only cut an egg if the clutch begins to pip and after about 2 days from the first one, if there are any that haven't cut on their own. Just a small incision with an exacto knife, very shallow and just enough for the baby to poke his head out comfortably. I don't like to cut them because I believe I have actaully killed a few over the years by cutting a vein. I try to resist the urge to cut but sometimes I can't.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

Thanks Jorge. I think based on the advice so far, I will just keep waiting. Like I said before, most of them still look good!
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Kent

1.1 Hypo (het lavender, striped) cornsnakes, 2010
1.2 Gray-banded kingsnakes, blairs phase, 2008
1.1 Oregon rubber boas, w/c 200?