Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hello
My checkered keelback laid 45 eggs last night , and I need some advice . Does anyone out there have any experience with these snakes . Or any general advice to enable the survival of the young .
I live in asia and the snakes are kept in glass tanks , the temperature in the house ranges between 85 f. and 75 f. ( night ) . please respond a.s.a.p.

thank you

First off, I'd advise you to post on the rear-fanged forum as there are quite a few keepers over there that are knowledgable on SE Asian natricines.

I've heard of several genera of snakes referred to as 'keelbacks' but I'm assuming you have Rhabdophis sp.. From what I know of their natural history, they feed heavily on amphibians. I'd assume the babies would have the same dietary preferences but might also take small fish. Keep them warm and moist with adequate hiding spots and I'd think they'd do well. Good luck!
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Pierson Hill

Herpetology and Herpetoculture

Thank you for the reply ,I was getting disheartened , this is the only reply from two forums . The snake is a xenochrophis piscator and has laid 45 eggs . Is it safe to move or turn the eggs ,and is it ok to put the eggs in a pile or better to keep all flat .

Well, we're going to have to assume that your Keelback's eggs can be incubated in the same fashion as Natrix and Kingsnake's.
First, the eggs must remain in the same "relative" position as laid! If they are glued together such as Kings' eggs which I doubt, leave them stuck.
If the tank they're in can be used as an incubator (move Mom) this would be best. If not (and we're running out of time) transfer the eggs with great caution, NOT TURNING THEM to a tank with sterile, moist substrate. Some people use vermiculite or sterile potting soil or sterile sphagnum moss. The eggs do not have to be buried however, an easily removed, breathable topping such as moss will aid in maintaing humidity. This also allows you to inspect the eggs as you choose to do so. Your ambient temps noted earlier will be fine.
1)escape proof incubator (I have used seedling incubators, rigid plastic with tight lid which incorporate adjustable vents) work great!
2) unlike birds, reptile fetus "settle" in the egg, air bubble rises to top and MAY NOT be turned. Turning tears the fragile tissues, etc.
3) moist, loose substrate is required. The eggs must breathe, exchanging gases. If the eggs look dry, you may fine mist them from time to time with clean, room temp water.
4) dark, warm, undisturbed location for incubator (no bumping or shaking).
5) keep an eye out for MOULD. The incubator will incubate just about anything - the mineral vermiculite helps to reduce this because it does'nt decompose and primarily has no inherent nutrition for "bugs".
6) be patient, hatching may take almost three months.
Michael

I hatched out more than a hundred eggs successfully from 17 species of Kingsnake in one season, many years ago. But, they laid a maximum of 12 eggs each! Personally, I would set up several incubators, thus "not putting all my eggs in one basket".
Michael

Thank you for the information , These snakes do not seem to be at all popular ,I cannot understand why . I have found them very good natured . I have now moved the eggs (carefully) to a better container

Perhaps in time these snakes will become more appreciated ... as when you post pictures of your hatchlings. I admit I'm not at all familiar with harmless, Asian/Indian semi-aquatics. I see that Ditmars identified them as Natrix originally, though I don't have a clue when this was revised.
What are you feeding yours? Do you know if Green Keelbacks fall into the same category or are they more terrestrial?
Michael

I dont know anything about green keelbacks ( macrophistodon plumbicolor) never come across one - yet .
I feed live fish or frogs - cant get them to eat dead fish , and I`m uncomfortable with the frogs . They are voratious eaters and messy .