Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, I've had this clutch of eggs laid Feb.2, incubated at 80*. I was expecting them to hatch the 4th-today. One egg died last week because it was accidentally rolled, and now this egg over the past 2 or 3 days has softened up quite a bit, and maybe its me being paranoid, but seems to be turning yellow and a slight area of mold. The egg for sure is getting blacker spots on it, which I hope are body parts of the baby. Is it possible for an egg to die this late in the game? It will be my first hatchling ever, so I'm a bit cautious.

Any anything would be cool. Goodnight everyone.

Michael

Eggs can go bad / die at any stage of incubation. I've opened full term obviously dead eggs to find a dead full term leo. Other full term eggs will be devoid of any embryo or have a very small one, I guess it just takes longer for some eggs to start to go bad after the embryo dies than others. I've also had eggs that have taken over 70 days to hatch. So, I don't give up on an egg until it shrivles, molds, or starts to smell. I've also noticed that eggs will feel "softer" immediately prior to hatching, but I've never seen this accompanied by any discoloration.
-Alice

The best thing I have found for my piece of mind is to candle my eggs. I use a Photon light that we use out in the field to read our maps or send signals.

Here is a link: www.cfrlights.com/photonlight.html

I would suggest getting the white light. These lights are small powerful and you can actually sink them in the substrate and see all portions inside the egg without ever having to move the egg itself.

I usually wait a week after placing the eggs in the incubator. If the egg has a reddish glow, or you see any pink at all (a pink circle, a vein) the egg is fertile. If you see a yellow greenish glow and no pink/red at all, it’s probably infertile, BUT since it is unpredictable Mother Nature we are dealing with I usually place the "green" egg in a container away from my pink eggs. This is because if it is unfertile it will most likely start to mold, and I don't want that to possibly affect my good eggs. Maintain your temps and humidity.

Candle your good egg, don't move it and see if the entire egg is dark (baby Leo) with a little tip of pink. If so watch closely, if the egg starts to sweat and dent and no little head emerges after 24 hours you might have to help the little guy out by cutting the egg just a little bit.

Hope this helps,

Tim

-----
"I'd still rather spend the day with an animal than most people I know"
LEOs: 6.9.0
1.3 High Yellows-Barney,Betty,?,?
2.0 Hypo Tangerines-Bam-bam,Rex
0.3 HCT's -Journey,Wiggy,Lil'bit
1.1 SHTCT's-Fred and Wilma
1.0 Rescued Normals -Shleprock
1.3Tremper Albinos -Mr.Slate,?,?,?
1.0 Tang Tremp Albino - Rocky

i've been having almost the same problem...the bigger of my fertile eggs has started to swat and becom more soft..but it seem like its a little too early for it to hatch..36 days incubating at 83*f-87*f, good luck and follow tims advice with the candling

I just candled the questioned egg, and it is all red. All I see is pinkish red all over. Yet the egg is definately yellowing, but I see darker spots, maybe eyes and such. How uncommon is my situation?

Thanks
michael