Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
This is my first post with this group, but I have been a reader of it for awhile now. I'm sure I could find the answer to my own question by reading past messages, and/or checking out Marcia's website (for the millionth time! LOL) but I need to be leaving for work soon and will be gone until really early tommorow morning.
Last night, or ealry this morning, I noticed that one of the MHD eggs seemed kinda sunken. I didn't think it would have been ready to hatch yet, it hasn't been 200 days yet; they aren't due until late September. After closer inspection I noticed there were a few small slashes and slight bubbling/moisture coming from those slashes. I havn't seen his head yet, nor does the opening looking any further along than it did last night. I've raised many species of herps over the years and I've noticed that each species has differant habits when it comes to hatching. I've had crested geckos fly out of their eggs in no time at all, and I've had snakes (and a couple skinks) that were in no hurry what so ever and sat in their eggs for at the very least 24, until they were good and ready to leave.
The thing that has me worried about the MHDs is that everything thing that I've read makes them sound pretty flaky as babies. Did he cut the egg to early? Should I just leave him in there even after 48 hours? 72? I'm not even sure if he's even fully developed, though light will not pass through at all when I candled it just now.
I'd apreciate hearing about everyone elses hatch experience. Though I've had alot of experience with reptiles, this is my wife and my first atempt at MHDs. Its hard to believe that an egg as small as many gecko eggs will produce something that gets as big as the adults do!
Thanks alot
Trevor
(oh and I can't get this dumb pic not to load- hopefully it won't now)

Anywhere from 159 to 190 days. If they were expected the end of
Septemter this isn't too early at all! The babies slit the egg and then seem to rest for up to a day or two. I sometimes will enlarge the opening in the egg after a day if they aren't out. Some just want to stay curled up a while. Make sure if they do this that the shells don't get dry. I had to help one out once when the shell dried and stuck to the baby. Not a fun start for a new nervous life! Some of them slit the egg and are out in a matter of minutes, just depends on the baby!

They can be flakey but if you follow my sheet you shouldn't have any problem. Remember to not get too small a feeder as they won't even look at pinheads or fruitflys. They will have an incredible appetite once they discover food. Give them a shallow water dish. I prefer ones that mimic rock as they don't slide on them and can get in and out more easily.

Congratulations and good luck with the eggs/babies!

Marcia

>>Hello,
>>This is my first post with this group, but I have been a reader of it for awhile now. I'm sure I could find the answer to my own question by reading past messages, and/or checking out Marcia's website (for the millionth time! LOL) but I need to be leaving for work soon and will be gone until really early tommorow morning.
>>Last night, or ealry this morning, I noticed that one of the MHD eggs seemed kinda sunken. I didn't think it would have been ready to hatch yet, it hasn't been 200 days yet; they aren't due until late September. After closer inspection I noticed there were a few small slashes and slight bubbling/moisture coming from those slashes. I havn't seen his head yet, nor does the opening looking any further along than it did last night. I've raised many species of herps over the years and I've noticed that each species has differant habits when it comes to hatching. I've had crested geckos fly out of their eggs in no time at all, and I've had snakes (and a couple skinks) that were in no hurry what so ever and sat in their eggs for at the very least 24, until they were good and ready to leave.
>>The thing that has me worried about the MHDs is that everything thing that I've read makes them sound pretty flaky as babies. Did he cut the egg to early? Should I just leave him in there even after 48 hours? 72? I'm not even sure if he's even fully developed, though light will not pass through at all when I candled it just now.
>>I'd apreciate hearing about everyone elses hatch experience. Though I've had alot of experience with reptiles, this is my wife and my first atempt at MHDs. Its hard to believe that an egg as small as many gecko eggs will produce something that gets as big as the adults do!
>>Thanks alot
>>Trevor
>>(oh and I can't get this dumb pic not to load- hopefully it won't now)
-----
Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html