Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i just had a female lay some unexpected eggs. I dont think I can save these ones, but i have other females in there that are looking plump. So my question is what's the best way out side of buying an incubator to incubate the eggs? I have the eggs in a smalll container with vermiclite that is suspended over heated water inside of a sweater box. The eggs are looking dented and are beginning to change color a bit. I think i have it too humid and not hot enough. Any suggestions? Thanks alot.

If you can maintain the temperature above 80* in the box then your method will probably work. I incubate my eggs in a cooler I got from Walmart with a T-Rex heat pad inside hooked up to a thermostat. You can maintain the humidity by keeping them in a moist but not wet substrate like vermiculit, peat moss, or perilite. If the eggs are too wet they usually swell and the shell looks almost translusent. They can also start to row mold. If they get sunken in they are either too dry or no good. Infertile eggs will usually get sunken in and mold or turn colors. If it's your girl's first clutch it is not uncommon for the eggs to be infertile. To check for sure you can candle them by holding them up to a flashlight. If you see pink veins (capilaries) then they are fertile. If they are just yellow they are most likely infertile. I hope this helps and good luck!
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Emily

3.5.3 leopard geckos (Nelson, Zander, Zoe, Baby, Houdini, Munch, Gizmo, Zig-Zag, Beau, Daisy & Gus)
1.1 ferrets (Oliver and Delilah)
1. budgie (Max)
0.0.1 Ring neck Parakeet (Kiwi)
1.1 German Shepards (Jake and Abigail)

The Spotted Gecko
**Updated 11-09-04**

If the eggs are dented in they are probably not getting enough humidity. It is possible to save these eggs if they are just dented. If they are dented and beginning to grow mold they are most likely not fertile. Use a magnifying glass to check for mold, if moldy you should see things that look like dark fingers coming off the eggs. If they are just dented in, mist the vermiculite with warm water. Try not to spray the eggs directly but it will be okay if you do get them wet also. Keep misting them everyday until the Eggs plump back up. If the eggs happened to be buried in the wild, they might sometimes get a bit wet but not soaked. If the vermiculite is too wet or too dry, start over and follow below with a new container of vermiculite.

When I first setup to incubate eggs I start with the vermiculite in a tupperwarelike container then add water - 75 % of the weight of the vermiculite. As I place an egg in the vermiculite, I am very careful to put it in just the way it was layed. I mark the top of the egg with a sharpie so I'll always be able to tell when it is right side up. When you get hatchlings they often crawl over unhatched eggs and cause them to roll so you need to mark them. I don't punch holes in the lid. That way the eggs don't get dried out. If I want females I just put the put the container in the top of my closet where it is about 82 degrees year round. I use a hovabator without a fan to incubate for males at 87 degrees. The hovabator with the fan gets too hot. After 45 days have passed start opening the lid everyday to check on the eggs and to change the air out. Hope this helps, Mark.