Dumb question

Snakes have very low oxygen requirments, which is why you cannot euthanize them with CO2 (it takes too long and is ineffective).

I let them come out of the egg, then move them into a container with moistened paper towels and a small water dish. I keep 4 per container and keep them in the incubator till they shed, then move them into their own tubs in the rack.

I had a 5 egg clutch emerge from the eggs this weekend while I was out of town for just over two days. When I came back they were fine, and my tubs are not ventilated.

Bruce

BTW... good question. :gj:

Bruce is absolutely correct...

I have never removed eggs or babies from their tubs/incubator until they have emerged from the egg. The tub lid is still latched. I remove the lid a few times a day to check on them and remove babies as they emerge but it's best to leave the eggs, tub and all, in the bator.

Moving and disturbing beyond just looking in every so often can cause nervous babies to emerge too soon. It isn't incredibly common but I've had it happen to me if I get too touchy with pipped babies and I've seen it happen to other people who mess with their new babies too much, cut too soon, or cut huge gaping holes.

Plus the bator is hotter and darker which helps cue the babies to stay put, absorb the yolk, and finish cooking before coming out.

If there was limited air the eggs would die. Piped or not.

You misunderstood me,

Oxygen requirements are based on metabolism and mass, the shell opened or not makes no difference, the snakes require the same amount of air in shell or out. It doesn't change one day to the next if the shell has a hole or not.