Stimson Eggs

[The-Guy]

Just wondering, how important is it to seperate eggs once they are layed. Mainly because the chances are quite high that i will be out when the eggs are layed.(stupid school) and how long do i have before they need to be in the incubator or will they be fine with their mother until i get home becaue im going to Black Stump 07 (first weekend of october, the long one)

Also, is there a way to tell if she is pregnant yet and when she will lay(preferreably not going to a vet)

and with incubators, i know now that they must be in a sealed container with vermiculate 50/50 with water(in weight) but what incubator should i use, i have a dodgy one dad made with a 20watt globe on a thermostat and i just put it in the feeding cage for one of the snakes(she hardly eats anyway. would that work fine because last year the eggs just shrivelled up and died and went yellow so i want to make sure they work this year


Thanks, help apreciated

The-Guy

[The-Guy]

PS, for when they do hatch, will vets sex them and how much (dont trust myself to do it)

[Splitmore]

no need to separate the eggs at all, just put them in the incubation container as they are laid. You should be able to tell quite easily once she is gravid, from abouthalf way down her body she'll be very bloated. Most snakes shed 2-4 weeks before they lay their eggs as well.
I'd be looking around to get another experienced keeper to sex the babies once they hatch, young stimsons can be very difficult to sex so find someone who breeds childrens and has experience sexing babies

[The-Guy]

Yeah, as they are layed, i meant like so they dont stick together because they did last year bacause they layed while i was out. So are u saying it is important to be around when they lay. Also i think she layed a few days ago, either her or the other one, havnt had a closer look, as for some reason the male is a little aggressive currently, dont know why but snapped at me last time i put my hand in lol.

also, would having not eaten in three months effect the eggs at all, i only have a heat mat, no light so she doesnt like to eat in winter much and hasnt eaten for about 3 months.

And is my dodgy incubator fine? just so long as they are in a sealed container.

One more thing, how do you measure the temperature inside the sealed container, or is outside of it ok.

Do u know any experienced breeders around Penrith area to sex them, and what would it cost.


Thanks for your help so far


The-Guy

[GSXR_Boy]

He saying put them in stuck together.

[Just_Joshin]

It seems you have gone into breeding of a snake with very little knowledge on how to do so mate. Maybe next year make sure you are a little more prepared. You should have been asking these question well prior to her becoming gravid.

In answer to her not feeding over the winter/breeding season, she will be fine as long as she was in nice, healthy, plumb breeding condition. She will, however, need to be fed well after she has laid the eggs.

[MrBredli]

The incubator needs to hold a steady temperature, around 31-31.5 degrees. You should be running your incubator now to ensure it can hold these temps.

As said, your snake will (99% of the time) shed 2-4 weeks before she lays, usually closer to 3 weeks. This will give you an indication of when she should lay. You need to make sure you have her laying box in there within 2 weeks of her having had pre-lay slough. There should be a decent layer of damp sphagnum moss in the laying box, which should be checked daily, to check for eggs and to ensure the moss stays damp (not wet!). The laying box should be placed somewhere within the cage that will hover around 30 degrees, this will give you more time to get the eggs out of there once laid, and into the incubating tub.

When she lays, carefully uncoil the snake from the eggs, then gently pick up the clutch and transfer it to the incubating tub, which should have already been sitting in the incubator at a steady ~31degrees. There should be 2 small holes (1-2mm) in the tub to allow gas exchange. The lid should be removed once per week to allow fresh air in. During the last few weeks the lid should be removed 2-3 times per week to allow fresh air in. Also, i'd go a 40/60 mix of water/vermiculite to be on the safe side.

This of course is just my opinion, although this works for me i'm sure there are plenty of other methods available that will have just as good success.

[The-Guy]

so your saying it doesnt need to be sealed? mr bredli? Yes i c your point womanator, although i found out most stuff last year and it screwed up so i am clarifying my facts to make sure i get it right this year.

Also, I am only 13.

Ok, so i should set up the incubator now, ill see if i can get it going, then ill get the tub ready later, if i can find last years vermiculite (does it go off, do i need new stuff)



Thanks all The-Guy

[MrBredli]

Last year's vermiculite should be ok. Have an airtight lid to keep the moisture in, but also have 2 very small holes to allow gas exchange. You won't lose much humidity at all as long as the holes are very small.

[Splitmore]

definately get the incubator up and runing now. 31 degrees is ideal however, snake eggs will tolerate a bit of temperature variation. It's better to err on the cooler side though. Also a 50:50 vermiculite mix can be a bit wet. I've never, ever measured or weighed the amount of water or vermiculite. Remember all your trying to do is keep the eggs humid, not moist. If they start to sink in after a week or so you can add a little water to boost humidity. If it's too wet and they start to grow mould then chances are the eggs are gone.
Have a look at what you did last year and make sure you don't make the same mistakes again

[The-Guy]

where are the holes? lower down? the globe from last year is blown, so ill try and get a new one asap

any other helpful imformation? and what if im out when she lays???? as i said i will be away for the first weekend of october and i have school most days.

[The-Guy]

Oh, so dents in the eggs mean not enough moisture? thats what happened last year

[The-Guy]

i think the thermostat is on 28-32 or something, ill ask dad tomorrow, he is out.