After care of the female...

[Zoe]

The female is thin now (not mortally so, but thinner than I'd like), and I offered her a rat tonight. She didn't even to notice it was food, just moved away from it. When will she start eating? What should I do if she never does? Should I boost the humidity now?

Oh yeah, I don't think the eggs are fertile, they are mushy and a little caved in now Oh well, there is always next year.

Thanks!
Zoe

[vanderkm]

So sorry to hear that the eggs don't look fertile. You might want to check Karel Bergman's site at http://www.morelia.ca/ for hints on managing carpets during and after breeding. He has a couple articles that document his experience with breeding Irian Jayas and jungles (maternal incubation) that may have some details on care of the female after breeding.

mary v.

[JIMI]

I hope ya got some fertile ones zoe. i wanna see your babies.

[AnthonyC]

Zoe,

Candle the eggs to make sure before you toss them. You may just need to bump the humidity up in the incubator.


About the female, I'd give her a few days and then offer again. Just make sure the temps are good, but the humidity shouldn't be much of a concern. Sometimes live prey helps get them back into the feeding mood again...but be careful if you have to go that route.

[JKUROSKI]

Zoe, that sucks!!!! Is your female very active? If she is, she is probably looking for her clutch. I would highly recommend washing her and the cage to remove the egg smell, should get her back to feeding sooner. I would give her at least a week before offering again.


As far as the eggs are concerned...what's your incubator setup?

Get some pics if you can...also try covering the eggs with a warm (90 degree) damp papertowel until they fill out again. Don't quit yet. They will rot soon enough if infertile and it doesn't mean they are all bad just cause some are.

[Zoe]

Okay, I will clean her cage tonight.

She isn't too active, but goes from the top of the hidebox, and then back inside the hidebox.

They are in a hovabator at about 88-90F. I didn't measure the humidity, but I did the 1:1 verm:water thing. When I squeeze the verm, it clumps but no water comes out.

They are still looking white, and seem be less caved (maybe I am just seeing things!)... Is it possible they were too humid? WHat would the eggs look like in that case?

Thanks
Zoe

[snakemann87]

Zoe dont give up on the eggs. There was a story on animal planet where a few snake eggs were dried out, and then they hatched. If they turn yellow then they are unfertile. You got any pics of them??? I'm pretty sure you know this, but just incase any future breeders always keep the egg rightside up as it was laid out, or the snake will drown in the embryo, unlike chicken eggs.

[JKUROSKI]

Eggs that have been exposed to excess moisture will swell...lack of moisture will make them deflate. It's a delicate balance and it not really the amount of water in the substrate, but the relative humidity you need to worry about. To wet and the eggs will rot. Like I said in an earlier post...a digital thermometer/hygrometer is an essential tool. Are you using the thermometer that came with the hovabator? If so, through it away! Also did you see her lay? How long where they in her care. Unless maturnal incubation preperations where done in advance the eggs will dry very quickly. What are the egg in inside the incubator? A sealed box I hope...if not your gonna maybe hatch one out of eleven, if that.

[Zoe]

I'm using a new thermometer. I didn't see her lay, but it happened some time between 2 and 7am. They are in tupperwares.