1st clutch laid...earlier than expected.

[Alok Khanna]

Ok so my FIRST clutch of 4 eggs came today(pin X Lesser or Spider)...about 8-10 days earlier than expected(per last shed). This come at a VERY inopportune time..as we have 10 family members coming in for the weekend for daughters 1st communion. Obviously a snake can care for it's eggs. I have the female in a rack system along with the eggs...would there be anything I need to do if I plan to leave the eggs with mom for 2-3 days? Increase humidity? Increase temp?

2nd: I'm setting up the incubator as I type. Humidity is at 84% and temp is at 85*F(still stabilizing since I had put it away just yesterday). I've seen different methods with eggs on top of vermiculite, buried halfway, and even on a screen above the vermiculite(subtrateless http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...edium-for-eggs). I'm leaning towards having them on a screen above the medium. What humidity levels am I shooting for?

[Kaorte]

You want 100% humidity. Basically as high as you can get it.

Substrate-less incubation is my preference. I use these rubbermaid salad keepers that come with this plastic mesh that I put over some thoroughly drenched vermiculite. Keeps the eggs dry, but allows for lots of water.

While mom is on the eggs, try and sneak in some damp moss to help increase humidity. Keep the temps between 85-88º.

[Alok Khanna]

Ok last question for now. She is sitting on 3 eggs...but has left one egg off to the side and is not curled up around it. Egg appears normal to me....but like I said 1st clutch. Will that one be ok w/o her curled up around it?

[Skilla6000]

I would suggest getting the eggs into the incubator ASAP. Mother can look after the clutch from day 1 to day 60 or when ever they decide to come out. Try to get the temps to 89. And like the other guy said try to get the humidity as high as possible, try not toget the eggs wet, that will cause bacteria and mmild and stuff to grow on the eggs. Good luck with your first clutch can't wait for mine, it should be within the next 2 years so a long time for me.