Egg updates

[Amberlove.jean]

Before we put them in the incubator.

The makeshift incubator. 100% natural top soil. The light was switched to a blacklight. A lid was placed ontop to retain humidity.



So Ma'am laid an egg last Monday. Then on Wed. I found 2 more! I hurriedly and carefully placed them in the home-made incubator with a black light overtop. I sprayed around them as much as I could to keep the topsoil damp, but not soaking wet. Then on Friday when I went to check on them they were all collapsed. Being completely honest, I cried. I knew it was going to be difficult to keep them alive without too much knowledge, but I though I was doing good. I looked up the reason for collapsing and I found either they were infertile or it wasn't humid enough. Any thoughts?

 

[Yvonne G]

The most likely reason is them no being kept moist enough.

 

[jojodesca]

I have heard of the eggs collapsing ..and the turtle being OK...however if you turned them you could have drowned the baby....I would just keep watching them and treating them like they are still going strong...

 

[earthyman71]

I have heard of the eggs collapsing ..and the turtle being OK...however if you turned them you could have drowned the baby....I would just keep watching them and treating them like they are still going strong...

the only way you learn is through experience! there will be more eggs
two suggestions - vermiculite or coconut coir kept damp. no black light needed just keep in a warm place. good luck!

 

[Amberlove.jean]

Thank you all for the helpful hints. Unfortunately the eggs collapsed to the point that you could see inside of them, the yolk being exposed, I believe number two was actually empty. I buried them outside as a mini grave for them. If one hatches that would be super exciting! But I'll do my best not to get my hopes up too far on it.

Where does one acquire coconut coir?

 

[jojodesca]

idk what I would do...I have a male but have not put him in with my female...I dont have the means to incubate at the moment...however I am torn between letting nature take its course or incubating once the time comes for me to be able to house them all together....

---

Thank you all for the helpful hints. Unfortunately the eggs collapsed to the point that you could see inside of them, the yolk being exposed, I believe number two was actually empty. I buried them outside as a mini grave for them. If one hatches that would be super exciting! But I'll do my best not to get my hopes up too far on it.

Where does one acquire coconut coir?

you can buy it at Petco or Pet Smart...I buy mine in what looks like a brick and soak it in water then wring it out....it expands to a massive amount...

here is a link for Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...ex=aps&hvadid=55534922&ref=pd_sl_167yxn3w13_p

 

[Tccarolina]

They collapsed because they dried out. Box turtle eggs need to be kept in moist substrate and near 100% humidity. Even in those conditions, they have to be monitored, because they will lose water, get a dent, and finally collapse. Even infertile eggs are full, and won't collapse if kept moist.

BUT, if kept too wet, they can split as they near the end of the incubation period, so it's important to not keep things too wet.

Next time use moist vermiculate as an incubation medium. If a dent starts appearing, add a couple drops of water with your finger to the egg and monitor, adding more until the egg rehydrates.

I just had two eggs that were very badly dented this weekend, almost ready to hatch. I added water to the vermiculate until they were sitting half-submerged in a vermiculate soup! It still took two days to re-hydrate them, and this morning, they hatched. So as long as there is no actual perforation (like you had), it is possible to save them.

Steve

 

[Amberlove.jean]

Thank you so much for the information. I'll make sure to keep that in mind! Another question is Box turtles have more then one cluster of eggs a laying-season usually right?

 

[yagyujubei]

I think "sometimes: is a better word than usually.

Thank you so much for the information. I'll make sure to keep that in mind! Another question is Box turtles have more then one cluster of eggs a laying-season usually right?

 

[Amberlove.jean]

I think "sometimes: is a better word than usually.

Thank you so much for the information. I'll make sure to keep that in mind! Another question is Box turtles have more then one cluster of eggs a laying-season usually right?

Ahh, Understood. Thank you.

 

[yagyujubei]

Some will lay three clusters, though.

I think "sometimes: is a better word than usually.

Thank you so much for the information. I'll make sure to keep that in mind! Another question is Box turtles have more then one cluster of eggs a laying-season usually right?

Ahh, Understood. Thank you.

 

[Amberlove.jean]

Really? Ma;am has laid one so far, four eggs, but me being new to eggs they didn't make it. It would be wonderful if I had another shot this year.

 

[jojodesca]

Really? Ma;am has laid one so far, four eggs, but me being new to eggs they didn't make it. It would be wonderful if I had another shot this year.

How long have you had Ma;am?.....does she have a mate?

 

[Amberlove.jean]

Really? Ma;am has laid one so far, four eggs, but me being new to eggs they didn't make it. It would be wonderful if I had another shot this year.

How long have you had Ma;am?.....does she have a mate?

Yes she has a mate (Sir) owned by my boyfriend. They see each other everynight and often stay the night over with each other. I've had her for 2 to 3 months.