Reptile & Amphibian Forums

in the few days since this topic came up and after i smeared some eggs w/ pinkie guts, a green patina like stain has appeared on those eggs. not all over the eggs but just on top where the 'scenting' took place. looks like a very fine mold not unlike mold on bread. today is day 114 for these eggs and they are finally starting to dimple which is good because i'm a bit concerned about this mold growth. it doesn't look beneficial. i'm wondering if these eggs weren't so late in development when i applied the smear, would they have made it to full term. i'll be keeping a close eye on those eggs in particular and report back what happens w/ those.

I presented this marking system to a Herpetologist to see what his thoughts were. His reply came today. Smearing a pinky brain or guts may cause mold and that the egg membrane would probably stop most molecules to the embryo.

A suggestion was made to mark the neonate at birth and that this would hold possible better results.

Oldherpers idea (mouse/lizard marker) would be better then using organic systems that may lead to contaniminating mold/fungus. Those type markers would be a much better alternative to egg marking. If egg marking works??

Please keep us posted. You have gone into the unknown and you are to be commended for furthering our knowledge.

Remember, (assuming this works at all) it doesn't matter what you paint on the eggs as long some recognizable molecule can get through and as long as you can paint that on the pinkies as well for the first few meals.

There is no reason to restrict your scenting flavor to mouse guts, and lots of reasons not to do so!
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Chris Harrison

CG
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Carl W Gossett
Garage Door Herps
Monument,Colorado...northern territory of the Great Republic of Texas