Thoughts on these eggs...

[ChrisnLisa]

These eggs were layed on the 27th of Nov. These were from our recently acquired F1 ambilobe girl who had never layed to date. She was mated on Nov.10th so these were early. There were 13 in total. It may be hard to see from the pics but some are developing what appears to be a bluish mold on them. Others look slightly shriveled like they are too dry. I would love to hear some ideas from some of the experienced keepers out there. Thanks in advance!

Lisa

 

[Chameleonboy]

Yay I am glad she was finally bred. Congratulations......

 

[Lancecham]

It looks like most of the eggs have a white mold on them. How moist is the vermiculite? Also do you have any ventilation in the containers.

 

[boothy]

yea i see the white mold to . there has to be to much moisture in there for them or they are just infertile and are starting to decompose

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

I agree , I would say the vermiculite looks too wet could be causing the mold.

what are the temps?

 

[Justin Carl]

Their is only one thought on eggs.
Don't toss them untill they turn into a blob of goo.
Take a fist full of vermiculite and squeeze it.
How much water drips out?
If it's more then 2 or 3, then you made it too wet.
If it's too wet then you need to open the lid slightly so it can dry out for a few days, then see what needs to be done.

 

[ChrisnLisa]

Thanks guys...definitely not too wet. I just gave the vermiculite the squeeze test and was worried it was too dry. There are two air holes and they are being stored exactly as our other eggs are. I am just worried that these are a dud clutch. Not sure if this could be the case but I would love to hear some ideas. As i stated she layed theses after only 17 days. Is it a possibility that she was already cycling eggs and already a bit into it, which may have made them harder to fertilize at that point? Not sure if this does or doesn't ever happen...any ideas or experience on this??

 

[ChrisnLisa]

Also, I do see how that looks like white mold but that is actually sand residue...do you think that is effecting the eggs negatively? Not sure why it would but would love to hear your thoughts. The only mold visible right now are bluish looking spots.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Its possible they are not fertalized, but the advice to hang onto them just in case until it is beyond obvious is good advice! You never know! You might want to separate the ones with the blue mold into another container. the sand wont hurt them

 

[christopherlaw]

when mixing vermiculite and water I find an equal 1:1 weight ration works great.

As for too dry....

Last time I dug out eggs I must have missed a couple. Three months later and a container of completely dry dirt (well sand and potting soil) I found two fertilized eggs, in perfect shape (no indenting, shrivelling).

If anything I would be more worried about vermiculite being too wet than too dry.

 

[ChrisnLisa]

Sandra-

thanks, that's what I figured about the sand since we haven't seen ill effects from it before.

Christopher-

good to know about the moisture. I am always so paranoid about the smallest things since we have yet to have any "problems" with our chams or eggs (knock on wood).

 

[Dean Pulcini]

Mold will occur on eggs for several reasons the main one being is that they are not fertile. I have had clutches that some eggs are good and others were not. I keep them until I know for sure that they no good , they will shrivel up and you will know for sure that they are dead.