Reptile & Amphibian Forums

They kept perfect shape for the first 2 days but now on day 4, they're noticeably changed. Reminds me of worm tracks in them or something. Also, the vermiculite/perlite is at the recommended moisture level (keeps it shape when pinched but not drenched by any means) but I don't have any condensation inside the chamber at all. I also put 2 NyQuil cups, 1 in 2 opposite corners the other day but no water has evaporated from them. Just wanna make sure I eliminate any problems before anything becomes a problem. Any ideas are extremely appreciated. Thanks. Ryan.

I just took them out to take this pic and I put in 2 wet paper towels to try to bring the humidity up. I have them up on a dresser and I realized my arm was shaking to keep them level and hold the lid open while I raised them up about level with my head. Can the shaking hurt them at all? I know I sound like an idiot but I'm sure you guys that have done this more than once can understand how bad I wanna pull this off. And I don't wanna make any stupid mistakes. At least there's only 8 1/2 weeks to go. And this is like my 5 neurotic post in 4 days. Let me know as soon as I start to get annoying.

...the minor dimpling is nothing unusual...some eggs do and some
don't at this point...more commonly in the latter half of incubation...it CAN BE a sign of low humidity...it probably would help to add a few milliliters (ie. half TEAspoonfull of water at each end...the little cups of water don't appreciably raise humidity levels AS IS...take a paper towel and wad it up so a good portion rises out of the water...this will substantially increase evaporative surface area...this will raise the humidity in the egg chamber...I place 2 layers of paper towel lightly draped over the eggs...add drops of water such that the towels remain slightly wet...this every 3 days or so...this helps incrase the humidity nearer the eggs where it counts...

...only a few 1/8" holes at each end of the egg chamber for a little bit of air exchange...you'll get plenty more when you lift the lid off every 3-4 days to add water as needed...

lastly...place a probe from a digital thermometer in the egg
chamber...or at the least outside the egg chamber in the incubator...I use a mercury AND digital in every incubator to check against each other...should be within about 1F...

finally...small bowl/deli dish of water outside the egg chamber with several layers of paper towels "wicking" over the edge...
to increase humidity in the air surrounding the egg chamber...

...55-57 days go by pretty fast...good luck!

Scott J. Michaels DVM
Serpent City

OK Question. I haven't had a clutch in several years, but am expecting one this year. In the past I would get, what I thougt was, to much humidity. It would drip all over the eggs which would get mouldy. They would eventually cave in on themselves and, I assumed, go bad. What would be the reason for this?

Thanks
Quig

Hovabator setup instructions to set mine up. Had the sheet right next to me the whole time I was doing it to make sure I did it exactly. I'm really gonna owe you guys when/if they hatch. Without having people to ask, I'd be totally in the dark. I didn't wanna mess with ball pythons just because of the challenge of incubation but I'm really glad I'm getting the experience. After keeping snakes for 20 years, this is the next step I was hoping to take. Thanks again. Ryan.

Scott gave some good advice. But one thing I look for is condensation. This tells me that the humidity is up. If none, I know it's way too low.
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Jay A. Martin