Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I have a clutch of 40 eggs that are almost in their 9th month of incubation. Average temperatures have been steady at about 74F for the last 5 mos. though they were warmer during the first 3 mos.- 78F.

Should I get them back into a higher temp range? Are they locked into a diaspause? They seem "static" w/no egg growth obervable since mabey the 5-6 month timeframe.

Bill

Hiya Bill!
Have you candled the eggs? Any veining visible when you candle them, any movement?
You mentioned no visible egg growth- everything being static. I personally take this as a good sign. As long as the eggs aren't showing any signs of dehydration or molding, then they're okay.
As for raising their temps, the only advise I have is to have some patience. Rehydrate the substrate if necessary, pluck off any molding and just wait.
Besides, you SHOULD have your hands full at the moment, what with those lil baby Jax running around!
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Thanks Victor. I guess I'll just wait them out. I was just considering raising the temps a bit to kick them into the final phase of development. I started like 10 fruit fly cultures for the Jacksons and in anticipation of the Veileds...I now have THOUSANDS of fruit flies and 13 baby Jacksons that are rapidly outgrowing the need for tiny prey items!

Bill

Did you candle your eggs?
As for the FF cultures, well, you could always check around, see if you can trade some of those cultures for other insect prey items or sell them to some pet shops. I used some of my cultures to grow preying mantids..
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Feel free to send me the flies! LOL, Where are you purchasing the cultures? I got to started ones last week and they arrived frozen solid. I called and they said they would be fine. Since then I have seen MAYBE a dozen flies. I think they where bsing me.Do yall know if they survive freezing? I've never had anyone small enough to eat them till now. I have a runt that refuses to grow.

I don't know about freezing but I can tell you my cultures went from say 20-30 adults on the underside of the lid to 300-400 almost overnight. If you have alot of pupae adhered to the sides you'll have plenty in no time - again, I have no idea what freezing does. If its producing adults, just wait a few days. I bought my adults, culture media, and "jars" from the Drosophilia Co. who advertise in the feeder section. Great service.

Bill