Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok I am new to breeding snakes and my first eggs are being incubated by a friend, 4 ball python eggs. I recently found out my female JCP is gravid, yes she was introduced to a male. I bought a hovabator after a reccomendation. I was wondering if any of you have used one and have any tips or observations on them. I have the heat at 88 now, and steady after 4 hours. When should I mix the vermaculite, when the eggs are laid or should I mix it now? I am assuming from her shed cycle that she is due to lay between Wednesday and Saturday. How often do you need to add water?? Has anyone had success with the incubators? any help would be appreciated

CjinNH

First let me voice my own biased opinoin: I think letting the female take care of the eggs in temp controlled box is better than incubation. With that said, if you think shes going to lay that soon I would get the substrate ready. As far as temp and humidity everything is guess work without a digital instrument that measures temp and humidity and also records the min and max so you can see what is happening in a 24 hr cycle. My favortie device for temp controlling is a 1500watt max temp controller accurate within 1 degree that has a memory so if the power gets disconnected, I had the sensor probe located in the hide box where my female sat on the eggs which was connected to a space heater located in my reptile room. I have also seen some that are equipped with an alarm if the temp drops below a preset number. Anyway I think the more tools you have and a naturalistic approach (my opinion) you increase your chances of success. Good Luck!