Egg Discoloration

[PigsnPythons]

So, I've really been having a hard time with this clutch.

The female gave me 3 good eggs and 4 slugs (http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=93879)

And a few days into incubation we had an incubator malfunction (http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=94070)

Now this is happening. None of these spots were there originally. When I candle them veins still appear...but these spots don't seem good. Could it be too wet? When I squeeze the verm/per mixture no moisture comes out, but it stays clumped. However, the sides of the egg box usually have condensate on it...but none from the top dripping down on the eggs.

What do I do to reduce the moisture if its too wet? Is this a sign that the eggs are probably dead? The temperature has been a pretty steady 88.6 since the incident.

[RebelYell83]

i'm no expert,,but i think your alright,,if your truely worried about to much moisture,add in a touch of vermeculite and remix it,,how far along are that?

[PigsnPythons]

15 days...it just worries me that the "windows" weren't there originally...and plus all the temperature issues that I had...I really hope you are right though

[Hock3ymonk3y]

I say incubate them, if they die they die, but if you throw them out now and they would have hatched, that is dissapointing. So just leave em in there and pray for the best

[LGL]

It looks like the incubation medium is a very fine grade of vermiculite. Maybe the small pieces, despite the fact they they themselves hold the right amount of moisture, aren't allowing enough air to reach the eggs. Try adding some dry vermiculite to the mix like RebelYell83 said, but use larger chunks instead of the almost sand-like form to allow for some air flow to the eggs from below. That should help keep the eggs dry while allowing them to absorb enough moisture.

[PigsnPythons]

I was planning on continuing to incubate them...I think I'm just trying to prepare myself for the worst.

Where can I find the larger pieces (besides ordering it off the internet)? Do any hardware stores or anything carry it? I had a really hard time finding any verm. My local Walmart, Lowes, and Home Depot didn't carry it.
Thanks!

[RebelYell83]

if your concerned about airflow,get a sheet of plastic egg crate to put over the sub,then set the eggs on that

[blackcrystal22]

I was planning on continuing to incubate them...I think I'm just trying to prepare myself for the worst.

Where can I find the larger pieces (besides ordering it off the internet)? Do any hardware stores or anything carry it? I had a really hard time finding any verm. My local Walmart, Lowes, and Home Depot didn't carry it.
Thanks!

Try a local feed store. Oftentimes they carry it there.

[RebelYell83]

or a local plant nursey,ask for pure pearlite

[blackcrystal22]

or a local plant nursey,ask for pure pearlite

He has perlite in his mixture already.. he needs large vermiculite.