Artificial or Natural Incubation?

[Brent]

Well here is something I have been trying to see what is better.Is it better to leave the mother in the tank if all conditions are good(humidity,temp,Etc.)and let her self incubate as long as we keep conditions up to par.Or is it wiser to artificialy incubate(hoveabators,Etc)his is a question concerning a Ball Python Lets give some details,Humidity is at 80 Cage temp is 85 with a prope placed directly in the clutch of eggs is 83.5 degrees if We bring the cage temp up she will not let it get any warmer than that.I am guessing this is were she wants and leave well enough alone.Any Advise or suggestions please let us know..

[Jeff_Favelle]

83.5 isn't really warm enough I don't think. The suggest temp for python eggs (excluding Chondros) is 90F. Even then, that takes 56-58 days sometimes. At 83.5F, you might be looking at 80+ days and you ay get deformities. Maybe now. It would be interesting to know.

[Stockwell]

I agree with Jeff. Use artificial incubation for a better chance of success.
Letting females incubate their own eggs is potentially problematic and high maintenance.
In addition to ensuring proper temps as Jeff pointed out,the eggs will tend to dry out unless the cage is kept near 100% humidity and accomplishing that can mean lots of attention including misting and blocking vent holes in the cage ie too much work.
Another thing that sometimes happens is that females can get bacterial skin infections from being wrapped tightly aroudn a clutch for 2 months, with low air circultion combined with the required high humidity.
Of course you wont see a skin problem until the clutch hatches, and then you could have a real serious infection.
Artificial incubation is basically maintenance free once you get everything set up.
It also allows breeders to get the females eating again faster, and back into shape for next year.

[MouseKilla]

Good question, great answers. I've wondered the same thing myself but since I don't have any pythons that are mature enough to breed I haven't had to choose.

It certainly sounds easier all around to take them away and use an incubator but this got me thinking of exactly HOW you get the eggs away from a snake that has the instinct to hold onto them. I'm not sure if I could win a wrestling match with a full sized female ball and I'm reasonably certain that I would lose one with a big female burm or retic. lol! So what do you do?

[mykee]

Throw a towel over the female and lift her off of her eggs, nothin' to it.

[Jungle Jen]

I recently removed a 12 foot female burm off her clutch, just be slow and careful and there shouldn't be a problem. (and have a garbage can ready to place her in so you can deal with the eggs and cleaning the cage) ;)

[MouseKilla]

Cool. I just assumed that she would be at least somewhat against the idea of having her eggs taken from her the way birds are. Maybe wild birds and captive snakes is a dumb comparison though...lol!