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jobi Aug 05, 2006 10:30 PM

Incubation is a variable event, we as keepers are still in the infancy stage when it comes to artificial incubation.

Let me share some interesting facts that iv experienced lately.

Eggs of gonocephalus and acanthosaura species, have the same abilities, both these species and subspecies can be incubated the same way and hatch at the same time.

As we speech I developed a technique to trigger copulation within 24h to 48h with both species, of course the animals must be in breeding condition to do so.

Next I am working on an incubation technique that allows eggs to hatch simultaneously in the same time frame, this regardless of species or humidity. In fact the eggs can be from different containers with variable temps.

I am not going to talk about this anymore on this forum, however this information will be published. I feel Herpetoculture will make giant leaps these coming years.

The photo shows both species hatching simultaneously from different containers today, they where put in the same container for the photo. This experiment lasted about 120 days, however this time will be cut in half eventually.

2006-04-11 acathosaura sp nested

2006-04-14 gonocephalus sp nested

2006-08-05 both species hatched simultanously.

Ps. Weak babies are the result of pre nesting parameters, female condition and nesting options. Incubation time and temperatures do not affect hatchlings, however temperature extremes can produce birth defects, these species can tolerate a wide temperature variations.

Replies (5)

Shane_R Aug 06, 2006 02:41 AM

Very nice post, this is possibly the case with many gecko species from the same area.
Shane

ingo Aug 06, 2006 12:16 PM

...let the substrate dry slowly, than quickly lower the temp by 2-3 degrees and raise humidity close to 100%.
Many babies which are almost or ready to hatch will start hatching 3-4 hours after increas in humidity.

Try it.

Ci@o

Ingo

jobi Aug 06, 2006 12:39 PM

Yes I understand this Ingo, it’s a very good tip.

However my system is much more involving then this, its about accelerated development of the embryo, then triggering hatching without temperature or humidity manipulation.

In this particular case I slowed the gono and accelerated the capra, then choose to hatch them in sync. The capra had no yolk left while the gono still had lots of yolk left, this means I have much room to experiment

Ingo Aug 07, 2006 04:53 AM

Interesting, do you use CO2?

Ci@o

Ingo

jobi Aug 07, 2006 07:35 AM

Ingo
let me make it conclusive a few more times, then I will send you a PM.
ps. Yes it is about pressure! you clever you!
however embryo growth is all about high temps and fluctuation.

Rgds

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