maternal incubation

how many of u have tried maternal incubation ? if so how successful were u ? what did u do after she layed as far as temps / humidity? did she eat at all? how long did it take for the clutch to hatch? how many did hatch ? did the hatchlings suffer and defects? how much weight did mom lose ? and whatever i missed please add

thanks for the help

Here's a wonderful sticky at the top of this subforum just for you.... http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...nal-Incubation

We have allowed our females to maternally incubate for the past two years (probably close to 70 clutches total). We will be doing the same thing again this year. I will write a more detailed response here when I'm at an actual computer (on a mobile device right now). In the mean time, the sticky thread that has already been mentioned was a big help to us, and I know there are a few other threads discussing it if you search.

Thanks ... Im looking forward to read what else u write ... im sure im gonna go this way myself .. did u put a hide in there for her to lay in ?

I'm also interested in knowing more about maternal incubation. Besides the sticky that I read a couple of times now.

There's not too many sources on this subject so I'm looking forward to reading about all of your experience.

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Well if my female produces a clutch I will doc the whole thing n make a thread for it

I finally have some time to write up a decent response. For our maternally incubating females we use either cypress mulch, coconut husk, or a mix of the two. We also add damp sphagnum moss, and mist as needed to keep the moss damp. We don't provide a hotspot in our racks, because our entire room is heated to the mid 80s (84-86, depending on time of year and time of day). But, you can pretty much use the same setup if you do provide a hotspot instead of ambient heat. The only suggestion I would make is to keep the hotspot below 90, especially if the eggs are on the hot side. Female BPs can raise the temperature slightly around the eggs, but they can't really do much to lower it.

Most of our females eat while they are on eggs. We feed smallish meals...I've been using rat hoppers since I feed live. The reason you want small meals is that you don't want the female to be "full" - she needs room in her coils for the eggs. I've also noticed that occasionally my females will leave their eggs for short periods.

We have been very happy with maternal incubation. The hatchlings have been slightly bigger than what we had before (most in the 80-100g range). And since the females do eat while on eggs, I haven't noticed any issues with weight. We have only done it for two seasons so far, but lots of our girls bred, laid, and maternally incubated both seasons and it looks like many will go again this season. They have been at a heavier weight each year as well, so I don't think it slows them down as far as gaining weight back.

Do u use a egg box ? Or just let them lay in there tub ... I was reading someones thread where they put a hide in there for the eggs ... im thinking that a hide for the eggs in side the tube will raise humidity way to much and maybe temps also...

Thanks for the read fire

We don't use an egg box or hide, mostly because the racks are already enclosed so I think they feel pretty secure, and I have had trouble finding a box that would be big enough for a large female with eggs without taking up too much space in the tub. On the other hand if your setup was more open, like a glass aquarium, you might want one.

Na mine is set up the same way ... I just wanted to know if u did .. im not gonna either

How many days till the eggs hatched?
Very interesting topic, don't know if I would try it, i'd be a wreck.

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Originally Posted by brock lesser

How many days till the eggs hatched?
Very interesting topic, don't know if I would try it, i'd be a wreck.

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I think a little bit longer

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Originally Posted by steve_r34

I think a little bit longer

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I have heard 96 to 104 just trying to see how long in real time.

Anyone know how high the humidity should be?

Do I just keep it regular 60-70 or get in the 80% range ...

I forgot, I never answered the question about hatch times. We seem to average 60-69 days.