Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My macklot's python dropped her eggs a few days early and deposited them, unbeknownst to me, atop the UTH which has been sitting pretty constantly at a surface temp of 97 degrees. Yikes.. I didn't notice the eggs for a day or two because she was coiled so perfectly and elegantly around the pyramid. I'm wondering what those more experienced here think the likelihood of that bottom layer of eggs hatching is. On the one hand, 97 seems dangerously hot for those eggs. On the other hand, pythons are surprisingly intuitive and resourceful when it comes to care for their eggs, this one even going so far as to roll two duds out of the pile! Would she have really laid her eggs someplace where they would have been in clear danger of cooking?

Thanks for whatever words of insight you can offer.

Brad
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http://www.waffahousereptiles.com

Two different issues are occurring in this situation. First, was the actual surface temp of the substrate measured with a thermometer device or was this based on the reading of the thermostatic unit for the UTH. If the surface was not measured directly with a thermometer of some type, there is a possibility that the temp was not quite as high as 97. If indeed the temp was 97 for more than a few hours, it is very likely that you will see developmental defects in the neonates, and if this was for more than half a day, most likely death of the eggs.

Most python eggs can survive short term, day or less, temp spikes up to 94 or 95, but that is about the limit. However, it is possible that some of the upper eggs in the mass may survive, all depending on how much heat was transferred to them from the eggs below, and the air temp. Do you happen to know the ambient air temp within the cage during this period?

Kelly