Reptile & Amphibian Forums

does anyone have any data regarding the length of time it has taken their redfoot eggs to hatch? I have some in the incubator that have been there for 180 days and still look really good, i just thought they would have hatched by now. i'm guessing a lot has to do with how long the female holds them before she actually lays but if anyone can enlighten me i'd appreciate it.

thanks

I have found that at 84 to 86 degrees they will hatch anywhere from 4 to 5 months USUALLY. It seems that at 4 months and 2 weeks mine are always hatching for the most part. But then again, I have had eggs from the same clutch, incubated at the same temperature, start hatching at 4 and 1/2 months and then one or maybe two eggs won't hatch till almost 6 months.

At around 4 1/2 months--if the eggs have completely 'blacked out'
i.e. they are full of a hatchling and can no longer be candled--start increasing the humidity a bit by misting the due eggs directly. This helps them absorb water which helps the hatchling break open the egg. Be careful though if you have other eggs in the incubator that are not due as too much moisture will cause them to split.

Looks like I have a lot to learn about tortoise eggs. I've incubated hundres of python eggs successfully and do pretty well with those, however, this is my first go-round with tortoises. I have never candled them until today and when I removed one from the incubator the shell felt really hard. I cracked it open and there was nothing but yoke inside. Same thing with the other 8 from that clutch Should they be as pliable as snake eggs? Also, I'm now wondering if they were even fertile to begin with. It's pretty obvious with snake eggs, but is it the same with tortoises?

I've got 4 more eggs that were laid last week that I'm keeping much more humid this time around. All four are round but one of them is brighter white than the other three. Could I have 3 duds and one good one?

Thanks for your help.

First off........DON'T EVER CRACK OPEN EGGS!!!!!!!!
Having said that here is why. Many times tortoise eggs (which are hard-shelled) don't show any developement at all for months and then suddenly they develope quickly. I have had redfoot eggs 'look' completely infertile for two or even three months and then start developing and hatch at the usual 4 1/2 to 5 month time period. Although I have known folks who claim to, I personally have never been able to look at a new tortoise egg and say if it was fertile or not. I have found that the first sigh is 'chalking' which starts as a white spot at the top of the egg and spreads downward to enclose the entire egg. This starts for me at anywhere from one months to 6 weeks after laying. But again, sometimes much later. I have had them take as long as 7 months (!!!)to hatch. To this day I can't figure out why.

First off, get out of the 'snake egg' mentality. Tortoise eggs are hard shelled and should be incubated at a drier humidity level than snake eggs. If too humid they usually crack.
Ed

I appreciate all the good info. I didn't know they are hard shelled - I wasn't sure what they were supposed to be like. And I also don't make a habit of cracking eggs apart but after 6 months with 9 eggs my impulsiveness got the better of me.

Luckily, I have 2.3 of the most sexually driven tortoises I've ever seen so hopefully the egg production will continue until I can get it right.

Thanks again!