dimpled eggs

What causes ball python/ reptile eggs to dimple before they hatch?

Humidity/moisture levels i believe.

The egg loses a lot of its hardness as it breaks down therefor causing it to dimple.

That's weird because all my eggs deflate or dimple a week or so before they hatch?

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Humidity/moisture levels i believe.

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I've always noticed the humidity levels remaining pretty constant, or maybe even ramping up a bit towards the end...seems like I have to clear off the tub lids more frequently to peek at them! :D

So there are no worries of an egg going flat on day 50? It wont cause accidental drowning?

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Originally Posted by WmHrbst

The egg loses a lot of its hardness as it breaks down therefor causing it to dimple.

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Please explain. :)

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Originally Posted by snake8myelbo

So there are no worries of an egg going flat on day 50? It wont cause accidental drowning?

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How flat is flat? They will dimple, but dimpling too much may be a concern. Any pics of the eggs? That would be a great help...

Once the eggs approach a hatching state they release enzymes to soften the shell thus causing them to sag as rigidity decreases.

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Originally Posted by WmHrbst

Once the eggs approach a hatching state they release enzymes to soften the shell thus causing them to sag as rigidity decreases.

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Interesting...thanks for the info! :)

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Originally Posted by sho220

I've always noticed the humidity levels remaining pretty constant, or maybe even ramping up a bit towards the end...seems like I have to clear off the tub lids more frequently to peek at them! :D

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No i was thinking more like the snakes absorb whatever oxygen is in the egg and the yolks therefore causing moisture to expelled out of the eggs? Bc i believe ive heard of condensation forming on the eggs once they start to dimple. That would also make sense bc if youre noticing higher humidity once the eggs start to dimple then that would mean they are expelling excess moisture through their shells. Well thats my theory at least, tho i really am not sure lol.

I could be wrong, thats only what ive gathered from observations.

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Originally Posted by WmHrbst

Once the eggs approach a hatching state they release enzymes to soften the shell thus causing them to sag as rigidity decreases.

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What in the egg releases the enzymes?

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Originally Posted by sho220

Interesting...thanks for the info! :)

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No problem.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

No i was thinking more like the snakes absorb whatever oxygen is in the egg and the yolks therefore causing moisture to expelled out of the eggs? Bc i believe ive heard of condensation forming on the eggs once they start to dimple. That would also make sense bc if youre noticing higher humidity once the eggs start to dimple then that would mean they are expelling excess moisture through their shells. Well thats my theory at least, tho i really am not sure lol.

I could be wrong, thats only what ive gathered from observations.

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I'm not sure either...however, I've never noticed eggs having condensation on them. I was thinking along the same lines as you...that it was some part of the developement process or something...:confusd:

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...728_214617.jpg

Condensation ramps up in the egg tub at the end because the eggs are warmer than the surrounding ambient temps. The hatchling start creating their own heat as they start to metabolize the yoke. The eggs dimple because, like someone said earlier, the snakes release enzymes that soften the shell and it loses its rigidity. The dimpling that may occur early on because of lack of moisture is different.

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The eggs in question are the "mystic" looking female to my pastave het pied. So I am nervous lol! Thanks for all the comments! Looks like I wasn't the only one!

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The eggs in question are the "mystic" looking female to my pastave het pied. So I am nervous lol! Thanks for all the comments! Looks like I wasn't the only one!

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Originally Posted by snake8myelbo

The eggs in question are the "mystic" looking female to my pastave het pied. So I am nervous lol! Thanks for all the comments! Looks like I wasn't the only one!

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The eggs in question are the "mystic" looking female to my pastave het pied. So I am nervous lol! Thanks for all the comments! Looks like I wasn't the only one!

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They look fine! Good luck with your babies! :gj:

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Originally Posted by snake8myelbo

The eggs in question are the "mystic" looking female to my pastave het pied. So I am nervous lol! Thanks for all the comments! Looks like I wasn't the only one!

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The eggs in question are the "mystic" looking female to my pastave het pied. So I am nervous lol! Thanks for all the comments! Looks like I wasn't the only one!

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Yea, its normal. I know how you feel, I have some good stuff brewing and I feel like I check on them soooo much.

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The egg obviously loses moisture towards the hatch date, but I also think that as the snake approaches pip day the temperatures of the snakes rise a little above the ambient temperature outside the egg tub increasing the inside tub temp. Hence, condensation from temperature differences builds on the inside of the tub.

Hmm, very interesting. I don't have a clue, but I have noticed when you cut really early, or when something is wrong with the eggs and they haven't dimpled yet there is a lot of clear fluid. I'm not sure what happens to that stuff, if the baby absorbs it, or if it breaks down after 50 days, I don't know. It's the same with poultry eggs, the yolks grow into babies and the clear/white part of the egg disappears the further along incubation you are. I sometimes help my family by incubating poultry eggs at my house and there is little to no clear goo left by the end as long as nothing is wrong with the baby.