Gravid snake - What to do? What to do?

[lutzd]

At one point, I thought one of my snakes may be gravid, and the male and female live together (in sin! They didn't even have a ceremony! ), so it could have happened.

As I have nothing prepared in relation to an incubator, I was wondering if there were any folk out there who would be prepared to raise someone else's eggs for a percentage of the hatchlings.

Seemed like a good community-spirited thing to do, plus you get to make a bit of money out of it plus a newbie gets to see how it is done as well.

Not talking about me, specifically, as I think that was a false alarm. ;-)

So.... experienced egg-hatchers out there, waddyareckon? Would it be it too much trouble? Or is putting together an accurate temperature-controlled incubator such a simple task, that anyone can do it.... From what I've read, these can be a little pricey to put together, especially the very accurate thermostat you would need for this.

Just curious! If we had a list of such volunteers, it could help out some poor egg-newbies (such as ....oh, I don't know.... me?) in an emergency!

[Fuscus]

Have a look here
http://www.aussiepythons.com/index.p...6b8b4e08be00b4

[africancichlidau]

I'd go on ya list of volunteers as long as I had room in the incubator. Oh yes, I'd have to like the person I was doing it for too In addition to this there would have to be an agreement that if anything went wrong I would not be held liable.
Apart from all that I think it's a great idea and it could work for those who run out of room in their incubators too

[lutzd]

Good on ya guys! Yep - I have seen that link; thanks Fuscy! It looks like a great way to go. WOndering about the cost of an accurate thermostat though! Could get pretty pricey, I reckon.

Africa : Yep, pretty obviously agree to both your points! Obviously it would be a voluntary thing, so if people were interested, the list could be maintained off-site. That way, the person with the eggs could ask the question (any moderator) and then the moderator could consult the people on the list and put them together if all were willing. Something along those lines... And of course, all care, no responsibility, with no come back if anything went wrong!


In any case, it was a general question at this stage, to see if experienced people were interested in pooling resources for this sort of thing, particularly for newbies.

Thanks for your input, guys!

[Vat69]

Great idea!! Glad I mentioned it to you now. Lol :wink:

I'm one of the aforementioned newbies, with a potentially gravid snake and absolutely no idea what to do about it. :roll:
This esky incubator looks like the shot though...

[danielsan]

hi
I have just put together an incubator using a foam box, I bought one of the new microclimate thermostats B2 which is a pulse proportional type, its connected to a 50W Heat Cord. Cost only around 150 dollars and very accurate. I just wish i had some eggs to go in

[africancichlidau]

Have you guys seen the for sale forum? Someone is selling a fantastic insulated box that is suitable for conversion to an incubator! I'd buy it myself if it wasn't me that is selling it

[Jonny]

i got an incubator that may not be used this season. Its a 150ltr fridge with heat cord and a microclimate b2 thermostat. Holds its temp very well.
Cost me $150 for the electrics and the frigde was free

[Splitmore]

David,
I for one am very reluctant these days to do breeding loans and incubate eggs for others(especially with people I don't know). The problem with incubating eggs for others is that problems can occour with whole clutches going bad or being infertile from the start and it's always very awkward with the person involved, especially if the incubating party is having a good year with their own eggs. There's always the ire of suspicion that falls on the person doing the incubating. It's far easier to bite the bullet and build a basic incubator and have a go yourself. Anyones first clutch of eggs is definately a learning experience but there's always plenty of experienced herps around to give advice. Once you've done it a few times and so long as your eggs are fertile you should hatch close to 100%.
Touching on another topic, there was a call for someone to sex snakes for other members. I'd be more than happy to offer that service free of charge for anyone in Sydney if they wanted to bring their animals to me.

[Already_Gone]

I am new to the whole incubating scene and I have to tell ya it is giving me grey hairs because I am worried about screwing up!!! I have employed the foam esky job for this season but have an old freezer down in the shed which we are looking to turn into an incubator for next season!!! I want to do it myself because I am not going to learn any other way

[africancichlidau]

So very true AG, but this idea could be handy for those of us without any building/electrical skills. I admire your attitude to it all all the same. Good onya

[Magpie]

No skills needed really, get a dimming stat from Ultimates or Animal attraction, get a heat cord at the same time. The heat cord just plugs in, no wiring needed and put the probe and the cord in some sort of insulated container. Done.
I agree with Splitmore on this one; I'd do it for a friend, but not for people that I only know from the net.

[herptrader]

My incubator is just a chipboard box. The temperature is controlled with your basic IMIT thermostat and the heat source heat tape.

The trick is to keep it simple.

Have a look at the basic incubator design on the links and care sheets page at the Herp Shop: http://www.herpshop.com.au - Brian has hatched all manner of reptiles in the incubator shown.

One challenge I had was keeping the temperature stable. It does not matter how good your thermostat is if you get some really hot days. After the first year, to help counter this, I relocated my incubator to a cool spot on the floor and away from drafts etc. I lined the incubator with ceramic pavers to act as "thermal ballast" - basicaly they slow the rate of temperature change. I find it works very reliably.

As a heat source and thermostat you may wish to consider the Herp Shop's October Special on a pre wired heat mat and probe thermostat combo which is pretty much ideal for an incubator... all you need to add is a well insulated box ;-)

A word of warning on all thermostats - use them in conjunction with a reliable thermometer. The graduations on a thermostat are at best a guide! For incubators you do well to have an accurate probe thermometer with the probe inside the egg enclosure.

I need to make one for nxt year when i will try with maccs, can't wait.
cheers
pete