Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Today is day 12 in the incubator and I need your help! The eggs were stored in a rubbermaid shoebox with adequate sized holes distributed along the side of the shoebox. I used shredded aspen in the shoebox (top covered) for the substrate. I added perlite in the incubator itself and filled it up with a good bit of water. The shoebox sat atop the perlite/water.

The humidity in the incubator is recorded as high and the temps are 89 degrees. I thought the humidity would pierce the holes in the sweaterbox and the humidity within the sweaterbox would be the same as the incubator (high). However, this appears not to be the case. I took the top off the shoebox and misted the eggs with water.

My concern is if they can recover from this dehydration or will they die. They've dented about an inch to an inch and a half(photo of the eggs below).

Thanks in advance for your help!

I would immediately take them off of the aspen bedding. That is what is drying them out. Personally I use vermiculite wet enough to clump, but not wet enough to drip out of your hand when squeezed.
Tom

I would of used the perlite in with the eggs. Also cover some of the holes on the egg container. It does not matter what the humidity is in the incubator only where the eggs are. Aspen is not a good choice for an incubation substrate.Good luck with them.

>>Today is day 12 in the incubator and I need your help! The eggs were stored in a rubbermaid shoebox with adequate sized holes distributed along the side of the shoebox. I used shredded aspen in the shoebox (top covered) for the substrate. I added perlite in the incubator itself and filled it up with a good bit of water. The shoebox sat atop the perlite/water.
>>
>>The humidity in the incubator is recorded as high and the temps are 89 degrees. I thought the humidity would pierce the holes in the sweaterbox and the humidity within the sweaterbox would be the same as the incubator (high). However, this appears not to be the case. I took the top off the shoebox and misted the eggs with water.
>>
>>My concern is if they can recover from this dehydration or will they die. They've dented about an inch to an inch and a half(photo of the eggs below).
>>
>>Thanks in advance for your help!
>>
>>
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Thomas Jones
aligatorhunter@cox.net

Change them over to vermiculite perilite mixture. Never spray the eggs! look at my pic. see the moisture inside..

Being my first go of it..i overdid it a bit and mine became a bit damp,so i quickly decided to do it this way(no substrate method).As i've seen a few others doing.Which keeps the egg surfaces dry,yet the humidity very high.

I hope they recover for you.

btw:Take a look at this pic.

Notice i moved the lids around? I put the original lid back on it along with some plastic wrap,and as you can see,the humidity is even higher this way.Good Luck
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Charles Glaspie

The guy at home depot just hadda ask what it was for too...lol
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Charles Glaspie