Why take eggs away?

[playBALL]

This might be a stupid question . But why take the eggs away from the momma snake? Isnt she the best incubator for them?

[stangs13]

It is easier for you and the mother to incubate in an incubator. Also able to hold better temps.

[dalvers63]

Since you posted this in the corn snake area, I'm going to assume that you're referring to a female corn snake and not a ball python or other python.

The reason to take them away from the female corn is that she will not incubate them. Corn snakes, from all of my experience, are "lay and forget" snakes. In the wild they will find a nice secluded place to lay their eggs and then move on. This is why corn snake eggs are so resilient and withstand a myriad of conditions.

Plus, as stated above, even if she did want to incubate them, you will get her feeding and back into a healthy condition if you take them away and put them in an incubator.

[playBALL]

I see..well I have a clutch of unexpected eggs. I was told I have 2 males.and well ..hehe . anyway Im not sure how to get them away from her or her from them.I have read to put the eggs in moss or vermiculite..in a non ventilated shoe box size plastic.. I have the plastic container..do I keep the moss moist? do I ventilate? sheesh .Oh yeah she layed the eggs 2 days ago How much time do I have to do all this??
Thanks

[playBALL]

Yes she is a corn snake

[Blue Apple Herps]

This is a great example of why you shouldn't house snakes together. I would separate them ASAP. As for the eggs, some of yours are not fertile eggs (slugs). They're the ones that are more yellowish in color. Take all the eggs and put them in a container that is full of vermiculite. Moisten the vermiculite so that when you squeeze it, water doesn't squeeze out. The container doesn't have to be ventilated, but all of mine are, just a little bit.

Put them at 80 degrees, or close two. Check on the eggs to make sure they're hydrated enough. If they start to dent in, then they're too dry. Moisten the vermiculite more. In about 2 months you should have babies hatching.

Pick up a copy of Kathy Love's book: the corn snake manual. Lots of good information. Again though, you shouldn't be housing your snakes together. That is why stuff like this happens.

[playBALL]

I dont house my snakes together.. I happened to take them out for some pictures..One is well you see the other is a normal hypo ..nice color contrasts..thats when the deed was done..but i read that males could mate with males so i was hoping ..

[ForkedTung]

I hope this doesn't violate the linking rule, but it is for the safety of the unborn cornsnakes and I don't think it is competitive with BP.NET? Go to www.cornsnakes.com and look at the breeding threads, there is plenty of info. there, good luck, Kyle

[Blue Apple Herps]

I dont house my snakes together.. I happened to take them out for some pictures..One is well you see the other is a normal hypo ..nice color contrasts..thats when the deed was done..but i read that males could mate with males so i was hoping ..

So you had them out for pictures and they started mating? And you still thought they were both males? I don't know what to say...

[stangs13]

Hopefully the eggs are still viable. 2 days without a high humidity could have dried them out.