Do I really need an incubator?

[hungba]

Well I have always used incubators for my ball python eggs and going into year 3 breeding I have had almost 100% hatch rate.

The indoor temps here during that time of year I get eggs is 87F - 92F the room, in fact last year I had to use an air con deep in the summer. I noticed my friend who also breeds and while having less eggs than I, because he cut corners, has all of his eggs hatch right too the last few years. He doesn't even have an incubator. He just puts the eggs in a tub in wet vermiculite and an egg crate and leaves it in his coffee table and they all hatched. He said his house fluctuates even more than mine.

Then I talked to two other guys and they didn't use an incubator either. Then a third guy I just bought a snake from told me he incubates with no bator, but puts a heat pad under his egg tubs? His snakes hatched too.

I'm about to get materials to build a bigger incubator this year but I'm wondering if I really need it.

[Lizardlicks]

I guess if your house maintains constant temps in the right range and you got an out of the way spot where you're confident they won't get bothered or jostled, then you're good to go!

[CD CONSTRICTORS]

I would say your friends are probably in the minority not using incubators.

Depends on your comfort level, but I would not plan on just laying my eggs on the coffee table to incubate.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Having an incubator makes things a lot easier when it comes to providing the perfect environment for your eggs.

Can maternal incubation be done successfully? Yes but personally I try to put all the chances on my side which is why I chose to use an incubator, it also allow me to get my female back on track faster.


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[hungba]

No, I am not talking about maternal incubation. These guys just plop the egg box on the coffee table. I don't know if it is culture or climate but people just seem to do that here. Most don't speak english so they don't read stuff from out of country online. I guess I am just surprised all their eggs are hatching out just the same. One guy said he puts the egg boxes in his toilet, which gets down to low 80s at night. His snakes hatched. The guy who put them on his coffee table said he put it there so his whole family can look at it everyday. Granted they are recreational breeders like myself but I have yet to hear any of them lose an egg.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

Well, it sounds like you own an incubator. So the real question is; why wouldn't you use it? Are you trying to save money on electricity?

[TheSnakeEye]

I can see why they don't use them if the room is hot enough to maintain certain temps. Most keepers I know, don't heat the entire room to 88-90, but rather 82-85 which may be a problem. But if you're place is a constant 88, then there's no need for an incubator really. I use one because it allows me to easily control a specific environment.

[Joe Massey]

i also got a friend who used the cabinet at the bottom of his bathroom sink as incubator(for me its just funny) but for some reason, the eggs also hatched. 100% rate!, he has been doing this for 2 years now. one thing he told me though, the eggs hatch between 73-78 days..

personally, i have no plans of trying it.. but if you're the curious type, feel free to do so..

[hungba]

Well, it sounds like you own an incubator. So the real question is; why wouldn't you use it? Are you trying to save money on electricity?

No, my incubator is too small now that I have more females. Also as I get more snakes space is limited, and a huge incubator means one less rack in the room. Regardless, I decided to build it and bought the materials today.

[hungba]

I can see why they don't use them if the room is hot enough to maintain certain temps. Most keepers I know, don't heat the entire room to 88-90, but rather 82-85 which may be a problem. But if you're place is a constant 88, then there's no need for an incubator really. I use one because it allows me to easily control a specific environment.

It is not a constant 88, it goes from 87 to 92. It isn't heated that way, just the natural temps here during that time of year.