We Got Rat Snake Eggs.. Now what?

unknownclown · 07-23-11, 12:38 PM

So we had this guy who was downsizing his snakes and was given 2 texas ratsnakes didnt know the sexes certainly didnt know 1 was gravid. Havent had time too look up how to incubate just woke up and there they were...

So Im debatiting whether we should let her incubate on her own or take them out and do it although I havent the slightest on how we do it or what. I read that they need to be at 80 and not too damp is hthat right? they all look good although I havent reached in there yet to check whats not obvious to the eye...

stephanbakir · 07-23-11, 12:51 PM

Unless you want to spend money, leave them alone, she should be fine and you should see 80%+ fertile survivability. Leave the enclosure temps a few degrees lower then incubation temps, her coils around them will insulate them, and they put out a fair amount of heat. Let her also control humidity. Leave it at about 40-50%.
Best of luck!

unknownclown · 07-23-11, 01:04 PM

Its not necessarily the money, should I worry about the ones not covered? I put a heat pad underneath a few minutes ago now wondering if that will cook them and what about a heat light? I have one above them..

stephanbakir · 07-23-11, 01:14 PM

Got a temp gun? shoot the area and see what its at, if its not more then 15 degrees too low I wouldn't worry. Are the eggs she isn't covering slugs? if not you might be able to manipulate them closer to her coils, she should do the rest.
(don't get tagged)

unknownclown · 07-23-11, 01:15 PM

Also just noticed as I put in the temp gauge that both are incubating, so Im still not sure which is female, is this normal?

stephanbakir · 07-23-11, 01:17 PM

Normally I remove the male, its possible its just warm there she he likes the spot?
Not sure males can know what temps to keep the eggs, so its possible he can over insulate/hydrate them?

unknownclown · 07-23-11, 01:19 PM

None of them look like slugs as far as I can tell but Ive never bred or seen snake eggs. Im refering to the ones in the pic if that helps..

stephanbakir · 07-23-11, 01:20 PM

Got a torch? (strong small flashlight) ?
Cut the lights, and flash the light at the side of the eggs, if you see veins, they are fertile.
If you are uncertain that the parents will do the job, you can get yourself a zoomed incubator for about 50$.

unknownclown · 07-23-11, 01:22 PM

Sorry if Im asking alot of questions and fussin a bunch I just didnt see this coming and am clueless and want to see everything come out ok I do apreciate any and all help and thoughts :-)

stephanbakir · 07-23-11, 01:34 PM

I love answering questions, tells me the other person isnt a cocky tool who will do what he thinks is right and risk the clutch

unknownclown · 07-23-11, 02:12 PM

ok we are off to the store to get an incubator dont wanna risk losin the babies... just hope I dont get tagged movin them :P also hope its not too late... since we dont know when last night they were laid

stephanbakir · 07-23-11, 02:31 PM

Don't change the orientation of the eggs, keep the top of the egg the top of the egg or they will drown.

**Aaron_S** · 07-23-11, 04:06 PM

Also separate your snakes. They shouldn't be living together 24/7 anyway.

unknownclown · 07-23-11, 04:07 PM

ok we got an incubator, filled the cups with somewhat damp shredded coconut husk marked the eggs and carefully moved the eggs, we have the temps at 83 and the humidity at 67 so far. not sure about the humidity if it willl go up higher since we just got it all set up, where should it be at?

stephanbakir · 07-23-11, 04:21 PM

The eggs should feel leathery, and not be caving in. Not sure what it is for rat snakes.