Surprise clutch. Need help to keep eggs healthy.

[GoldSheep]

My males outfoxed me this time (2 of them)... I made my own cages by using underbed containers and put on mesh and wire. The males pushed through this wire by repeatedly pushing on it.... and escaped. So in order to fix it, I needed to put them somewhere, so I put them in with my female normal since she has a slide lock cage.

I haven't bred her in over 10 years....

She must have also been horny, because she also was fidgety during those same months. I thought it was safe, because duhh... off season. It's the middle of summer.

She fed normally and then went off feed in prep for winter. Per the normal. But then, she was moving around a whole ton, and volunteered to go back into her own cage.

But I was wrong--off season nothing. Don't give a care about no off season. I have 6 healthy eggs, no slugs as of today. Totally not prepared. I don't have 100% of the materials to incubate. I have an incubator, but not the substrate.

My female is doing really well with the eggs. (Pictures) moving around on top of them, dug out a nest, etc. I raised her since she was little.

So since I don't have the substrate and my state banned sale of vermiculite (I have perlite), except through online... what should I do in the interim to keep the eggs healthy while I wait for substrate to come in? She's dug a nest so that the eggs are next to the heat source which is currently sensor regulate to 90 degrees.

She has a large water bowl nearby too.

Ideas?

Thanks. Pictures:

[Stewart_Reptiles]

You can use straight perlite as well,

Here is how I setup my tubs

6 or 7 quarts tub
4 cups of perlite
1 1/2 to 2 cup of water
Light diffuser


It's fool proof

[GoldSheep]

You can use straight perlite as well,

Here is how I setup my tubs

6 or 7 quarts tub
4 cups of perlite
1 1/2 to 2 cup of water
Light diffuser


It's fool proof

Thanks. I looked and missing the perlite too... !@#$ can't find it. Ummm... will they be safe for 2 more days? (I already ordered the Perlite and vermiculite...) Should I move them to a tub in the cage while I wait? I have the incubator set up... but the moisture levels. She seems to be doing a really good job compared to her first time. (She laid them in the cold end of the tank and left them.) This is her fourth time. So warm end of the tank and coiled super protectively around them. She's no lightweight either... so I'm not that worried about regaining weight. She's always been a consistent eater when eating. Sometimes slamming back 2 rats at a time when super hungry.

=P My snakes have a habit of telling me they are hungry. Also escaping and then coming back with their head held up going, "Yoohoo, I'm here. =D It's breeding season for me and I broke my cage. I'm feeling sexy and you know it."

[STjepkes]

Technically you don't even need substrate. You could get the light diffuser like Deborah posted, but stack them 2 or 3 high and just put water in the the bottom of the tub. It's been done plenty of times before. OR to prevent the water sloshing around, you could put paper towels down and just soak them. Then put some press n seal across the top of the tub and you're set! But definitely use the diffuser. In my experience 2 can be even more foolproof. Water can build up the sides of the light diffuser and hit the eggs if things are overly moist.

[antthrax]

Any updates? Interested on how it turned out 😊

One step at a time

[Tigerhawk]

You could also get some of those cheap dollar store sponges. Wet them and line the bottom of your egg tub with them. Then put the egg crate on to of that. I Have done it in the past,with good results. The sponges will hold the water and keep it from sloshing around.