1st time

[vjdragonfly]

I am trying to learn more about preparing for a clutch of ball pythons. My daughter was keeping her male and female together, and well you know the rest....

I was told to setup a plastic container with sphagnum moss in it and it would be about 2 months till she lays the eggs and then another two months till they hatch. I can't remember the temp I was told to keep them at, but basically she can bring the temperature of the eggs up, but to make sure they don't get too warm.

I really don't feel like I am experienced enough to do this, but it has already happened. She is 18, but I am still supporting her and honestly I will probably be the one making sure everything is done right.

Please, any tips would be greatly appreciated as I prepare for this endeavor.

[Kera]

I wish I could help...good luck though. Hope all goes well

[Sublimeballs]

I suggest artificial incubation. Build this How to build a Ball Python Egg Incubator (http://m.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-Ball-Python-Egg-Incubator/) . Get a thermostat to control the temps, a hydrofarm(search on amazon) will run it fine. In the diy he's got it setup to have 2 clutches in there, fill the area where the bottom clutch is with water bottles(they stabilize temps, due to waters absolute temperature). Set temps to about 88 or you have a couple degrees both ways for the on/off thermostat. You're gonna need 85-100% humidity; not wet but humid. Have the incubator and egg container up and running before she lays the eggs so you can work out any bugs without risking the eggs.

As for the female, she'll have a pre lay shed roughly 30 days before laying. look for her sitting in a perfect coil, wrapping her water bowl, sitting with her back half inverted. These are good signs. Give her some moist moss. youre going to want to remove the eggs from her asap(she might bite). DO NOT turn the eggs over they have air bubbles at the top of the egg turning the egg could drownd the embryo. The eggs are going to feel so delicate but they are hardy. If you turn the lights out and hold a small flashlight up to the eggs youll be able to tell which eggs are fertile(some infertiles will be obvious). Get them in the egg container that has already been running proper temps and put them back in the incubator. I put cling wrap over my egg containers and vent them freash air every week, until the eggs dimple then every other day.

Now wash your female and her entire cage really well. You need to get the smell of her eggs out of there or she probably isn't gonna start eating for a while.

Now the waiting game begins.

I'm sure I've missed some stuff, but I'm tierd. Keep us updated.

Here's what a fertile egg should look like when candled:

[Sublimeballs]

Eggs in the incubator.

[TheZoo]

If you really dont think your ready then maybe you shouldnt do it, I dont know like inform her of her irrisponsible actions then not incubate the eggs...Your call though I imagine itll be a great experince.

[vjdragonfly]

Ty for your input Sublimeballs & TheZoo. At this present time I cannot afford the materials to build an incubator. I work outdoors and the unusually low temps are keeping me out of work. Like I said i am not prepared and I don't know if I could not try to save them. I would feel like I handed them a death sentence. They might not make it anyway, but I am going to try at least. I'll save the picture and your tips Sublimeballs for further reference, thanks again.

[xSerpentGoddess]

I may be late. But you could try calling reptile shops. We incubate for people (If you happen to be in the Detroit area). A vet may also, but do your research. A lot of vets, even exotic vets, don't know anything about reptiles.