Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, back again...my momma snake is doing her job and incubating them all well, but I've run into a problem. One of the eggs wasn't fertile, and as a result its starting to decay...how do I get it out of there? I don't want it to spread fungus to the other eggs, and its begining to smell pretty bad. If I remove the mother temporarily, will she return to caring for the eggs when I place her back in there???

Hi,

I recall from the "Breeding Ball Pythons" video (sutherlands) that a decaying egg poses no threat to the rest of the eggs and can remain with the group throughout the hatching process. The specifically made note to this phoenomenom.

Good luck!

But what of the fungus that develops on the bad egg? Wont it spread and turn the rest of the clutch bad? Its in a very moist, warm climate...should I reduce the humidity a bit??

Hi,

According to the sutherlands, it won't affect the other eggs. Some of the other KingSnake.com members would have corrected me so far if what I said was incorrect. You might want to consider phoning the Sutherlands and asking them yourself. Refer to the "Ball Pythong Breeding" video where they said it's ok to have a bad egg remain with the clutch. That might help you sleep better

Good luck!

...In MOST cases a bad egg won't affect the good eggs, but it does occasionally. It's very important that no flies (especially the small gnat-like ones seen in the warmer months or warm climates) have no access to the clutch. Maggots can overwelm the clutch. Barring this the bad egg's contents will coagulate and dessicate and microflora (bacteria and fungi) common to eggs will not spread to good eggs because of immunity factors of the good eggs.

...this being said, if the bad egg is not adherent to a good egg, remove it. If it IS adherent to any great degree, removal can be nearly impossible without damaging the good egg(s). Removal is easier in the first few days post-laying; after this period it is best not to try unless you have a good set of probes and a lot of patience. A good mother will return to her eggs no-questions-asked, but the occasional female won't. Females will leave the clutch normally anyways to thermoregulate or to drink, so separating her from the clutch for upwards of an hour or so rarely will do any harm. Again, a good mother will rapidly return to her clutch. After this do not disturb her.

Good luck!
Scott J. Michaels DVM