Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i am having a problem with low temps in my hovabator now i know its supposed to be 89 but i am praying i can get it where i need it soon. my question is if it stays around 84 for three days will that harm me eggs?

You should be fine. I have heard of people incubating ball python eggs in the mid 80's for the entire duration without incident. It just takes longer for them to hatch.

oh thank god for your post!! that makes me feel better!!

Although I do not know you, I have seen hundreds of your post and would assume that you are very educated about Royal Pythons. The fact that you are using a hovabator to incubate BP eggs has me concerned. Have people used hovabators to incubate BP eggs, YES. Do they hold stable temps and humidity levels, NO. They are horrible. You would be better off using a rigged cooler with some heat tape, fan, water bowl and T-stat.

Regarding 84 degree egg temps... You should be fine, just don't spike them from 84 degrees to 90. Any changes should occur very slowly.

i appreciate your post but my problem was i didnt have my hovabator ready for the eggs. other than that i must say they have worked for me very well and its holding the temp perfectly after a few days. thanks again for your concern.

Hi,

I have had several clutches of ball eggs drop to 50F for four days after a power outage while I was away. They all hatched after they were warmed to 89F slowly again upon my return. Cool doesn't kill, excess heat does, cool just slows development.

Also, I have used hovabators extensively for many, many species for decades. Their only flaw is that they are small and do not support a large, stable mass of temps, like a closet incubator would. Don't be disuaded from using them, just pay greater attention because they are small and will not forgive mistakes like a larger incubation system would. The best and cheapest to build and operate is a closet, an oil radiator and a good on/off thermostat. Good luck.

Will

Will thanks for your post yes i have not really had any
Issues with the hovabator except now but that was my
Fault all is good now as a matter of fact eggs are at
89 so I'm very happy!! Thanks again for your info!