Experienced rbeeders; pls critique this egg.

[Ginevive]

Here's our sole surviving egg; it was laid 5.19 and is now on day 32. It has been dented like this from the get-go and doesn't seem to be suffering because of it; what are your thoughts? Is it a good indicator that since it has lasted this long, there's a good chance it'll hatch?

[Aric]

just a quick question, do you have a lid on the egg container?

[Ginevive]

Yes; glass panel (from a picture frame) weighted down by a heavy glass (almost like lead crystal) ashtray. Holds the humidity in.

[Aric]

ahh I see it now. You could try to add a little more water to the vermiculite, maybe that would help. Just my .2

Good Luck

[Ginevive]

See, I am really hesitant to do that; it is already at the point where, if you squeeze it in your fingers, a little moisture comes out.

[Wild Bill]

Well sounds like all you can do is wait it out. It looks like it hasn't gone bad yet. When you candle can you see veins? It is getting old enough you might be able to see movement.

[RCReptiles.com]

You can check the viability of the egg by candling it. While in a dark room, take a pen-light flashlight and hold it to the side of the egg. The light will illuminate the inside of the egg. You will see veins on the inside surface of the egg if it's viable. If you don't see any veins, it's unfertilized (no good).

With respect to the denting, it looks ok from here. Just make sure the humidity is acceptable (high humidity) in your incubator and your temps are ok (89F).

I hope this helps and good luck!

[Ginevive]

I can definately see nice red veins; I candled it yesterday but don't want to go doing it every day; I am afraid of damaging it or subjecting it to temp. changes. But it has nice veins!
Do they gain/lose weight or generally stay at the same weight? Right now the egg is at 65 grams.

[Ginevive]

I got some pics of candling it; not too great; I still need to learn to use the camera w/o flash. I could definately see an embryo in there! You can see part of the veins and also the dark spot in there.

[Kara]

Looks fine - most eggs don't stay plump & full from day 1 on, unless your humidity is just out the yin-yang. I'd leave that puppy alone.

If you *do* raise the humidity, do it very, very gradually. Drastic changes in incubation conditions - i.e. very dry to very wet & vice-versa - will kill eggs pretty quickly.

K~