Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am sorry you misunderstood my post, it’s quit alright don’t worry about it, but pleas if theirs anything you don’t understand from me, pleas say so!
The main reason I post on these forums is to practise my English, progress is terribly slow for an old frog. lol
To be honest I am both surprised and happy you guys understand most of my English, I already consider this a success over language barriers.

Now to the point!
I said most breeders will advise you to incubate in darkness, this is true!
However theirs no benefits in doing so, in fact incubating eggs with a light cycle may have virtues of its own?

I am willing to bet, your lizards colors will improve with every generation if you incubate like I do, of course I will win hands down for having tested my theory on many species already.

Hear is how it works, stem cells, hypothalamus, photocells these are the embryo, all affected by heat and light and react to these stimuli’s.

The same way your lizard gets dark when cold and brightly coloured when heated up, the embryo reacts the same to heat and light, when stimulated at such an early stage color pigments reach there maximum potential, of course photocells keep developing as the lizard grows, but its overall color potential is greatly enhanced.

This is not documented, at least not that I know.

Rgds

The cycle of life is not about Constance, it’s about stimuli’s and variations.
Stagnant cells have nothing to live for, no motivation. (incubating at steady temps).
Variation in temps and light stimulate cells into growth and health, doesn’t matter witch being fauna-flora it’s the essence of life.

Thanks for the wonderful clarification, Jobi, but I did understand you perfectly the first time! My comments elsewhere about a "recommendation" for incubating in the dark came from my assumption that since most breeders incubate in the dark, I should, too.

This goes against what you do, I know, but I thought incubating in the dark seemed to make the most sense. However, now that you've explained that there is more to your light incubation approach than simply an inexpensive incubation heat source, I may have changed my mind!

See, if your book was already published and this theory was included, I probably wouldn't have run out to buy an incubator! Turning a light on and off to adjust the temperature has got to be easier than fiddling with and incubator. Oh, well.

Thanks, once again, for providing such detail.

For what it's worth, I understand all your posts perfectly. They are very precise, which is the best way to communicate. Most English-speaking Americans (me included) use far too many words. -Jeff

Hello Jobi, Hi Jeff:
I have to also tell you I have no problems understanding your posts. Your english is very good.
Second...to add a little about the light and dark controversy over hatching eggs. In the wild the eggs may just be placed in an inch or two of leaf detritus deposited in a depression in a branch. Not all eggs, just some. There is no reason why offering eggs a light and dark cycle would be beneficial to embryos incubated under artificial conditions. Many of their relative embryos are exposed to the same parameters in the natural habitat. A couple inches of leaf detritus sure won't stop the effect the sun (even when filtered through the branches of the trees) would have on eggs laid this way. The embryos might undergo periods of high activity which would make them stronger candidates for hatching. Try closing your eyes in sunlight. You can still "see" the brightness. At night the reverse is true. I agree that it could also affect color though maybe to a minor degree. Though these animals have been terrarium subjects for years there is still much to be learned about them. That's why forums like this are important.
There is another school of thought though that shouldn't be ignored. Under completely contolled dark conditions the eggs are safe from changing parameters. "Exposed" in a more fluctuating environment the eggs have to be monitored closely for moisture. Most people play it safe and go the incubator route. I like my eggs to "see more." I also think that many people feel the eggs are safer in the dark. I think this is a holdover from breeding tropical fish because there are species such as the Buffalo Head Cichlid (Streatocranus cassuarius)who breed in caves because their eggs are very sensitive to the light.
Anyway, that's my take for what it's worth.
You guys have a Great Day!!!

PS--Thanks for including the photos in your posts, too, Jobi. Very nice. -Jeff