Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am getting ready in case one of my girls lays eggs soon. This will be my first time and I have some questions.

I have the Turbofan Hova Bator Incubator with the extension ring for more room. What size container do most of you use to hold the eggs inside the incubator? The picture shows deli cups, which is fine if none of the eggs are stuck to each other. I bought a big rubbermaid that I thought would fit but it is too high. The hard part is you don't know how many eggs will be coming or if they are stuck together. My girl weighed in over 5 lbs at the end of may and I think she just finished what I hope is the pre-lay shed.

any suggestions?
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Misty Sprouse Ball Pythons

This may sound cheesey, but since u are using a hovabator the best thing to do is go to the grocery store (or sams, etc.) and get the gladware tupperware pack...It has like 12 containers and 4 different sizes and shapes....So if your clutch is stuck together u use the deep one, if it's not stuck together than use another one and so on...The whole pack is like $8-10 if that and whatever ones u don't use for your eggs u can use for your lunch..haha

that is a good idea. I just went for the big one first and now I have to take it back.

I had another thought, I heard the hovabator doesn't hold humidiy all that well. But has anyone filled the whole thing with substrate and not went with containers and had any luck?
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Misty Sprouse Ball Pythons

but I don't know. Maybe someone else has more experience or ideas about that.

Ben

>>that is a good idea. I just went for the big one first and now I have to take it back.
>>
>>I had another thought, I heard the hovabator doesn't hold humidiy all that well. But has anyone filled the whole thing with substrate and not went with containers and had any luck?
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>> Misty Sprouse Ball Pythons

You want to disconnect the fan if you haven't already. Last year, with CP and BP and Leo Gex eggs I did fill the bottom with damp moss and it helped. But if you are putting eggs in their own containers ultimeatly that holds the humidity. This year I just kept the containers high humidity. I also put the hovabator lid on a bigger foam box(like 32"X20"X14"h) and it still set up and maintained fine...and gave me more room.
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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron

Disconnect your fan. It will dry out the eggs. This is what I do and it has worked fine for me:

1) Hova-bator - disconnect turbo if installed.
2) Keep plastic pan installed, seal holes.
3) Adjust temps about a week before clutch is due. It will take a bit to get the temp just right - 89 degrees.
4) Fill with about 2-3 inches of vermiculite. The mixture should be moist enough that when you squeeze it in your hands, it holds its form - clumped.
5) Put eggs in and cover from 1/2 - 3/4.
6) Air out one to two times per week. Without the fan, they no longer get fresh air.
7) Watch and wait.
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Jay A. Martin

What you need to do in order to use the Hovabator is get an extension for the top. Go to or call a local Tropical Fish store, Petsmart...and ask if you can have the top of a shipping container and that will act as your extension for the Hovabator. We tried using a stock Hovabator with our first clutch of Ball Python eggs and just couldn't get it to work without the extension. We used a Rubbermaid container that is about 6 inches deep by 12 inches long by 8 inches wide with four 1/8th inch holes drilled two in each end to prevent an airtight seal for the eggs in the vermic/perlite mix. Also you will want to put a couple of pieces of masking or other tape on the sides to prevent the extension from falling off if we have a little tremor or bump that might cause the top to slip or fall off. If we can answer any further questions you can call or email us anytime.

Debra and Diana
Camlon Reptiles
714-693-4775
Link