Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My first time girl laid eggs on the 9th (of feburary). They didn't have that white outer shell thing, and weren't laid in the moist hide. I didn't discard them because I could see red through the yellowish layer. I've been incubating them at 80 degrees since they were laid, and I looked at them today, and saw that they were starting to dent, and become water ballloon like. What can i do? I know they are fertile, I see red, lots of it, but I haven't candled it. I'm letting them get air now, (I use the Albey's method) thinking that that may be the problem. I don't know what to do. Suggestions?

Michael

If they came out yellow they were probably infertile. Are you positive it was red and not more of an orangy color? Sometimes infertile eggs will get an orangy glow to them. If the egg is fertile they usually start off with a red circlish shape on the top of the egg. Overtime it will the red will expand and the whole egg will glow bright red. Then as the embryo grows the red becomes darker and darker as the light can no longer penetrate.

If they are fertile and are denting this soon they need more humidity. Add a bit of water to the medium or even put a moist peice of tissue/papertowel around the outside of the egg for a short period of time to help them plump back up. Don't leave them in contact with the direct source of moisture for long though or they could mold.

Also, sometimes fertile eggs just die... it's terribly frustrating, but it happens to all of us.

Good luck.
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-Ross Payan - www.LeosAnonymous.com

Leos Anonymous

Ball Pythons, Red Striped Leos, W.Hognose and Screaming AFT's

Woops... missed the part that you havn't candled. You shouldn't be able to see tons of red without candling the egg. A fertile egg usually has a nice white turgid shell.

If you are interested in candling your eggs you don't need any special equipment. A flashlight or penlight works great. Just make sure you are in a dark room so you can see the glow.
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-Ross Payan - www.LeosAnonymous.com

Leos Anonymous

Ball Pythons, Red Striped Leos, W.Hognose and Screaming AFT's

Well, they started out a yellowish color, and now they definately have lots of red in them. It does look kinda orangey. The container i have the eggs in has beads of water on the side, but i guess i'll try to add some more water. I'll try and see what happens.

The "water ballooney" comment is the dead giveaway. There's plenty of humidity so they wouldn't have dented from being too dry. Sorry, but you might be better off with a Hovabator unless you keep your house at a constant 80° like most breeders.
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Rick-Geckoland USA