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An observation about eggs hatching according to position in clutch.

RyanT May 20, 2005 10:04 AM

This is day 56 now for my eggs. Exactly 8 weeks. I cut them 3 days ago. The 3 babies in the eggs that were on top of the clutch are robust, poking their heads out and should be coming out soon by the way they look. The 3 on the bottom are noticeably smaller and look like they have no intention of coming out very soon. One is actually upside down but at least moves when I touch the egg so he must be alright. I left the clutch in the incubator as I found them and the ones that were on the bottom were much fuller and holding more moisture. Not sure why they developed slower but they must have. From now on, I will make sure to be there to "catch" the eggs as they're laid and distribute them all evenly, in one layer, across the substrate. These are the kinds of things I was hoping to learn by cutting the eggs early and studying everything my first time around. Just thought I'd share. I know I enjoy hearing about other people's experiences and theories. I wouldn't have made it this far without them to go on.

Replies (5)

repzoo44 May 20, 2005 10:30 AM

Last year I hatched some corns. The last 2 eggs to hatch were the problem snakes. The very last one never would eat and eventually died. The second to last is fine now, but did we have to work for that guy. Im not sure what order they were laid but I found it interesting the last ones to hatch had the problems. BTW it was a clutch of 13. Thanks for sharing.

EP
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Occupants not paying rent:
1.1.5 balls
2.1.8 corns(candy cane, creamsicle, ghost, 4 normal,
4 anery )
1 pueblan milk
1 everglades rat
1 cal. king
1 gray band king
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
1 fish
1 mouse
3.3 cats

JP May 20, 2005 11:36 AM

that you are using a less than perfect incubator with an overhead heating element (AKA a hovabator or similar). My bet is that there was a slight but significant difference in temperature between the top of the egg chamber and the bottom (like maybe .25 to .5 of a degree). After observing a bunch of clutches over the past few years, I haven't observed any corelation (yes, mispelled for sure...lol) between location in an egg mass and incubation time. You'll find that two eggs that were exactly side by side can hatch as much as 48 hours apart. Sometimes an entire clutch pips within hours of each other, sometimes it happens over a couple of days.

And quit poking your eggs! I know its hard, but the less you mess with them the better. Babies won't drown EVER after the egg has pipped or been cut. Their instincts to not breathe under fluid are strong once they begin breathing air.

Hang in there!

RyanT May 20, 2005 12:11 PM

I'll stop poking. Haha. Good to hear someone say they won't drown too. That's why I poke. So now I can stop.

JP May 20, 2005 12:37 PM

np

jyohe May 20, 2005 06:39 PM

the ones on the top hatch first alot of times.......
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The dumbest RRaXX design I ever bought.........

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