Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Making my plans to breed in the spring and would like to ask what other hobbiest's are using to incubate. Are you using homemade setups or using the Hovabator's or what? I would welcome links for more information and/or any suggestions or comments that you are willing to share. Thanks.

I've been using pearlite for the last few years. It's the simplest method I've used and there's little mess if any. Just fill a shoebox about 1/2-2/3 full and just pour the water in until you see it about half way up the pearlite. The pearlite acts in a wicking manner, and keeps humidity high without letting the eggs sit on a wet substrate. If the top of the medium feels a little dry, just mix the pearlite and water until it is moiste. Much less mess than vermiculite or peatmoss. Long fiber sphagnum moss works pretty well too, but tends to dry out a little easier.

As far as an incubator goes, it really depends on your climate and how your room is kept. I personally haven't used an incubator to do any colubrid eggs, unless I wanted them to hatch a little quicker. Otherwise I just set them on a high shelf or on top of the fridge........if the temps aren't too high. You really don't need an incubator for kings. Just keep them between 76-86 and you'll do fine.

Brandon Osborne

I pretty much incubate my kings and corns the way Brandon does. I use vermiculite, and a shoe tub with a few air holes. I mist container when it looks like it needs it. I let them stay at room temp of mid 70's to low 80's. I have about 95% hatch rate.It seems to be best to let them on thier own/ no fancy methods. Randy

I've got a home-made box. I like a Vermiculite to water ratio of between 1:1 and 4:5 by weight, well mixed. The temperature is on a daily cycle -- 90 F during the day dropping to the mid to low 70s at night. This reproduces the temperature cycling in the second floor of the house before central air was put in.

Paul Hollander