Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK, guys, I'll admit it...I've been out of it lately...OK, I've been WAY out of it lately!

I came home tonight too see one of my adults laying her third egg. She's now on her fourth, and it looks like she might have one more to go, but can't tell yet. Here's my problem, THIS IS UNEXPECTED! I kept a male with her throughout brumation this winter, and I did witness them locking up (just like they do EVERY year), so I'm figuring at this point that fertilization was pretty likely. I never even THOUGHT about it, much less prepared for it.

I got vermiculite...I lack an incubator. I have a little baby-rack system, with 12-qt. sterilites in it. Might this suffice until I can get an incubator? I don't know...if any of you have any ideas, I'm listening.

Here's a pic of dad...if these guys hatch, I hope they look like him!

she's big, and mean. Not looking forward to pulling these eggs out from under her!

Leave them with the mother and go buy an incubator. Don't do any half a$$ed container thing. The mom knows what she's doing. I don't like maternal incubation, but it does work.

Excellent. I'm glad I haven't touched them, then. Thanks a ton!

By the way, she laid seven total. More than I thought!

You should always prepare for the unexpected. LOL. I know how that can sometimes go. At any rate, leave them with mom. If you are nervous about that, read my article. It should ease your worries somewhat.
Maternal vs. Artificial incubation

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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

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0.5 Normal Ball Pythons (Norma, Nova, Nala, Nimeesha, Nyoka)
1.1 Argentine B/W Tegus (Draco and Drucilla)
0.1 Columbian B/W Tegu (Diablo)
1.0 Black Throat Monitor (Razor)
1.0 Desert Tortoise (Tubbs) from Tortoise Rescue
1.0 Boxer (Shadow)
0.1 Feline (CK)
1.0 Memory of my Redtail Boa (Mo) which passed away after 28 years