Reptile & Amphibian Forums

You love 'em!.. and now we have these eggs in the incubator!!!

They look somewhat wet.. because I have kept a folded paper towel on them that I have "spritzed" each night.. to maintain high humidity on egg surface.

Very high humidity at 86 F.. EJ says 'too wet' - how 'bout it Paul.. Ernie.. Carl.. and of course you Gaby ???

Thanks so much to everybody.. we should have some pretty babies to share early next year. Especially Carly!

You gotta love 'em!

Terry

Hi Terry,

as you know I don't have breeding experience yet, but maybe you'll find this article helpful:

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/Redfootincubation.htm

From what I discussed with a breeder friend though (and what I read) the eggs should not get directly wet. That is why care should be taken to have lids constructed in a way, that condensed water cannot drip on the eggs.

B.t.w. didn't you talk about 16 eggs?
Good luck,
Gaby

Thanks Gaby,

Keep the humidity high but don't allow moisture directly on the eggs.. that's the impression I'm getting! O.K.

Anyone who has followed my posts on egg production.. (which you have) has seen cluthes of 5 (7/30).. 3 (8/23).. and 8 (9/9)! There are 3 others not in the picture.. but in the incubator, 2 were found on the ground, none of which show any signs of life when candled. I simply decided to keep them in a separate dish.

Here's the math:

Of the 5 adults.. 22 eggs have been produced, 5 were dropped on the ground (3 went bad) and 1 I broke in the first nest (7/30). That should add up to 15 potentially good and 3 questionable eggs in the incubator.

You gotta love 'em!

Terry

Terry,

I've got eggs in the incubator but no hatching experience as of yet (with Redfoots) as my mature female began nesting 5/04 for the first time. I'll defer to Carl for answering the humidity question as he has many years of hatching carbonaria.

I have been keeping mine at about 75-80% with temps at 85. The May egg should hatch in the next month or so. All look good so far.

Paul

First time Redfoot tortoise eggs.. This IS fun isn't it Paul??

Sure isn't 48 days for spotted turtles though.. (patience)

Thanks again.. and best of luck to you too!!

You gotta love 'em!

Terry

Hey Terry,

Keeping the entire egg wet is not good. I'm pretty sure the embryo can suffocate if it is. Your going to want that perlite 50/50 water/perlite and just set the eggs about 1/3 in the perlite or just sit them on top. The moist perlite will raise the humidity within the incubator and that's what you want....Not wet eggs though....(I know at least this much...ha ha) GOOD LUCK!!!

Barry

Thanks too Barry.. I no longer "spritz"!!

Where are those "BLACK" eggs??

You gotta love 'em!

Terry

From what the burmese black authorities tell me, I've got quite a bit longer gestation than most, so the minute my girls start buiding nests and gathering leaves, I'll know I'm close and will take some pics of them doing that also.

Barry

WITH THAT NEW CAMERA.. RIGHT BARRY???

You gotta love 'em!

Terry