Need advice

[TheLastBaron]

Alright, as long as I have been capturing and keeping snakes, this is actually a first!

My 4.5 foot texas rat that I kept after a snake removal job is currently laying a clutch of eggs. Something of a bad time for me, I can't really afford an incubator or any fancy equipment to hatch them.

Here is my question...what is the best way to care for the eggs that isn't going to cost me a lot of money? Time sensitive replies please! I don't want to lose the young due to a mistake and I am not afraid to say that with all my experience I have 0 experience with eggs and breeding, just hasn't ever been my cup of tea.

[Aaron_S]

She'll do it for you. Cost? Free. Look up maternal incubation.

[TheLastBaron]

Ok thanks, I still have questions though. Could I arrange a phone conversation with someone who has allowed rat snakes to maternally incubate?

[FWK]

Colubrids do not incubate, maternal incubation is strictly a python thing. What I've done in the past with unexpected clutches is use a small tupperware tub filled with damp perlite and placed it in an enclosure near the heat pad. As long as you keep the humidity high and temps in the low to mid 80's they will be fine.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by FWK

Colubrids do not incubate, maternal incubation is strictly a python thing. What I've done in the past with unexpected clutches is use a small tupperware tub filled with damp perlite and placed it in an enclosure near the heat pad. As long as you keep the humidity high and temps in the low to mid 80's they will be fine.

Go with this.

[TheLastBaron]

Ok I will. Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. She has 20 eggs so far since 6 am.

[TheLastBaron]

She laid 21 eggs in all, without incident.