Egg about to hatch???

[CDN-Cresties]

Last night I noticed that one side of a egg I had incubating for 76 days collapsed/dented in. Does this mean that the egg is soon going to hatch? Prior to last night the egg had a perfect shape so Im a tat bit confused/worried.
Thanks

[HeatherRose]

What temp are they at? Is there condensation on the eggs? Little slits in the shell?

I usually have success with 60 days @79, so it sounds about right... Good luck :)

[CDN-Cresties]

The temps range from 73 to 78, i dont see any condensation on the egg or any slits.

[HeatherRose]

Usually when eggs hatch they 'sweat' or have condensation...maybe they're just dehydtrated.

Have you tried moistening to the medium around the eggs? Are you sure they're fertile?

[CDN-Cresties]

My medium is at the recommended ratio suggested by the rhac book and I weigh the container every week to check for any moisture loss. I would assume that the egg is fertile because it has been growing in size since it has been laid.

[dj_honeycuts]

Can you candle the egg? Maybe take a look at the bottom of the egg as well, without turning it over. I've had an egg that the hatchling slit on the bottom. Not sure why the hatchling was orientated this way. Could be a possibility though.
Good luck with it though!

[CDN-Cresties]

Im a bit nervous to candle the egg, do you just hold the egg in one hand and place the flashlight right up to it with the other?
Thanks

[dj_honeycuts]

That's pretty much all there is to it!
I hold the egg inbetween my thumb and index finger, then shine the light from underneath. You probably won't see any of the light pass through at this stage as the gecko will be in the center of the egg. If you shine it through the sides there should be an "empty" spot, and you should be able to see a dark mass where the embryo is. One other thing to note, you probably want to use a pen light and not just a regular flashlight as the light that spills around the egg from a regular flashlight makes it difficult to see into the egg.
Here's a story that might help you lose the nervousness. A little over a week ago I was candling my eggs when my cat decided to trip me as I was putting one of them back into the incubation container. The egg only fell a few inches, but it may as well have been off the top of a building for as slow as it fell! I immediately candled it again to see if the embryo had moved orientation, but everything seemed to be ok. I've checked this egg every couple of days, and the embryo is still moving and everything seems to be alright. It should hatch within a week or two, so I guess only time will tell for sure whether or not it will be alright.
As a side note, if anyone has ever wondered: "Does a crested gecko egg bounce?" The answer to this question is yes!
Hope that helps!
Good luck
James

[CDN-Cresties]

Here is the result. I candled the egg and it appeared reddish but I couldnt see anything else not even veins, just a reddish colour. On a side note, I candled two other eggs that were laid on may 28 and no light seemed to travel through either of the eggs. However these eggs have grown in size greatly since they were laid. Any ideas, im a bit confused to say the least :)

[HeatherRose]

I guess the only thing to really do is just wait and see...keep the eggs moistened properly and wait it out :)

[CDN-Cresties]

Waiting it out.....:( lol :p

[dj_honeycuts]

Gotta love the waiting game! :D
It Kinda sounds to me like the first egg might be no good. After 76 days if the embryo hasn't developed and darkened the egg it's probably no good. I have read somewhere before that a reddish tint with no veins can be an indication that there is nothing going on. Although, I do still usually wait until they stink or mold before I chuck them.
On the upside, it sounds like your about to be a papa! Better get those critter containers ready! I'd say the other eggs are probably due to hatch any day now. We better see some pics of your hatchlings! :)
James

[CDN-Cresties]

SWEET!!!!!, thx for the help!