Do I really need an incubator?

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Originally Posted by TheSnakeEye

I definitely go the better safe than sorry route. I'm just stating Im sure it can be done just fine. I'd rather not risk it though. I myself use a 'bator.

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i agree to that, yes i know it works.. its been proven but i don't want to mess with with.. intentionally reducing my chances of getting a 100% hatch rate does not make sense. to top it off, i would not want to risk it. most especially if your working with hets for recessive morphs. - that 1/16 change egg might have been the one you're looking for but unfortunately it just didn't make it.. imagine the regret..

The eggs need a certain range of temperatures at a certain humidity level to hatch, it doesn't matter HOW that is acheived, as long as the temps don't go too high or low and they don't get too dry they're going to hatch. Ball python eggs are a lot more forgiving then the eggs of many other species. If you live in an area where temps and humidity levels are good for incubating eggs then go ahead and give it a try, most people will not have the option of whether or not to use an incubator. Two important things to keep in mind, low temps are not that big of a deal but temps that are too high will kill an egg very quickly. temperature stability is also important, gradual heating or cooling of the eggs in not harmful but rapid temperature swings should be avoided if possible.

Back when I was breeding a lot of colubrids I started out using an incubator but at the suggestions of several people I just started putting the eggs in a box on a shelf. It did work and I hatched plenty of snakes that way but I did NOT have as good of a hatch rate as I did using an incubator with constant stable temps.