Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Folks

To my total surprise I found 4 small white oblong shaped eggs about the size of a lemon drop candy this morning in my a.l. setup. I immediately put a bit of water in a small plastic container along with some of the small wood chip substrate. I then placed the eggs ---in the same position that I found them--- on top of the wood chips. I put the lid on and set the whole container in a corner in the tank. The ambient temp. is appx. 85f. Should I poke holes in the lid of the container? How long does it take them to hatch? What should the temp be so that they will successfully hatch? Can anyone tell me where to find care sheet info. online for the future babies? I've looked and can't seem to find any. All info and advise is welcomed! HELP! Feel free to email me at....iluvgermansheps6@aol.com

When I incubate my alligator lizard eggs I usually use vermiculite (I purchase mine at OSH), but I've also used the soil sold for african violets (this soil is sterilized unlike most soils sold for gardening etc, just make sure that there is no fertilizer added). It's very important to get the water to substrate ratio right. The ratio should be 1:1 by weight. To weigh out the water and substrate you can use something like a postage scale (they're available at office depots and some walmarts). If a scale it totally out of the question, the substrate should be moist, but not wet; going by feel takes a bit of practice so going by weight is much safer. It's better to be slightly too dry than too wet. If your substrate is too dry, the eggs will start to dent and you will have to add a bit more water, but if it's too wet and the embryos drown that's it. I usually don't poke holes in the container, openning it about once a week or so to check to eggs is sufficient for air exchange. I incubate al eggs in my room where the temp is in the 70s, and I typically have 100% hatch 85 might be a bit warm (if you're dealing with southerns).

Good luck,
Alice

Thanks Tons Alice...

How long does it take for the eggs to hatch. Once they hatch how should I care for them......or do you know of a site that offers info./care sheets on the care of incubating the eggs and rearing the babies once they are hatched?

Alice, I'm amazed at how much patience you have answering these questions. I have seen countless threads in which you have answered questions about eggs and/or Alligator Lizards in general (including my own questions). Thanks for being the expert around here for us all.

In, I'm sure Alice won't mind answering all these questions for you, but I can link to previous threads asking the same questions for you if you like. I asked almost all the same questions as you at one point in these forums (check for my name at the end of page 1 and page 2 of this forum). Check this thread for answers Alice gave on how to take care of babies once they hatch: http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=881253,881253

I hatched my eggs no problem at all after following the instructions by Alice. Hope the same goes for you.

Thanks for the help Lightening Hunter The eggs should hatch in about 2 months.

-Alice