Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay, I took a bunch of pictures today when I saw my female digging around. She had been digging for 2 or 3 days and I knew it was about time.

I bought the vermiculite mixed in some water and formed my ground base for my homemade incubator. Here are my questinos

First off, the bad news.
I placed the container under the heatlamp as pictured and checked the temperatuer 4-5hrs later and it said 103F. So I immediately openned the tp to allow the air to cool the eggs.

Have I ruined my chances of having any hatchlings because of this over temperature?

PLEASE VIEW THE PHOTO ALBUM TO MY PICTURES OF THE ENTIRE PROCESS THUS FAR.

Do I need to buy an incubator or if my homemade incubator sufficent?

What is the procedure now to care for these eggs? I read ont he internet to pour water intot he vermiculite every other day?

What is important to monitor for these eggs? Humidity? Temp? Mositure of soil?

Please help me as this is my first time and I would like to have as high a success rate as possible.
" alt="Image">
-----
Getting ready for my new Chameleon.

You said..."I placed the container under the heatlamp as pictured and checked the temperatuer 4-5hrs later and it said 103F. So I immediately openned the tp to allow the air to cool the eggs.
Have I ruined my chances of having any hatchlings because of this over temperature?"....hard to be sure. I hope the eggs didn't dry out while the lid was open.

You said..."PLEASE VIEW THE PHOTO ALBUM TO MY PICTURES OF THE ENTIRE PROCESS THUS FAR"...couldn't see your photo album.

You said..."Do I need to buy an incubator or if my homemade incubator sufficent?"...if your homemade incubator keeps the eggs in the right temperature range, humidity, etc. it shouild be fine.

You asked..."What is the procedure now to care for these eggs? I read ont he internet to pour water intot he vermiculite every other day?"...you shouldn't have to add water at all if the setup is right.

Here's how I do it. I use a shoebox sized tupperware type container with a lid. I punch two tiny holes in the lid. I fill the container about half full of slightly moist vermiculite. To test the vermiculite to see if its moist/dry enough...take a fist full of it once you moisten it and squeeze it. You should be able to only squeeze out one or two drops of water. I only fill the container half full so that when the hatchlings hatch they have room to move around until you can take them out.

I lay the eggs in rows about 1" apart in all directions in dents that I have made with my thumb. I put the lid back on and incubate the eggs at about 76F. Water will form on the sides of the container and the inside of the lid. If you only remove the lid for a couple of seconds every few weeks the moisture level should stay right. If you see the eggs denting in then you will have to add a little water....but not on top of the eggs...around the edges of the container. If you make the substrate too moist then the eggs will take on too much water and explode.

If you can post a bigger picture of the eggs it would be better.
Hope this helps! Good luck!