Vermuculite/Peralite substitute

[Dunnigan]

What can be used in place of this? I just received an egg (Leopard gecko) and the local stores all sell miracle grow peralite which, from what i have heard, causes mold.

I have heard that spungham moss can be used, is this so?

Im good on incubation temps/length of time im just at a lost for an incubation medium.

The egg is good and it would be awesome to save it.

Thanks!

 

[jojackson]

Moist spaghum moss is excellent, naturally mould inhibiting. Much success with this medium.

 

[Dunnigan]

Define moist...I sprinkled some water on the moss then i lightly misted the top layer.

Also do you mix it with any dirt? I put a layer of organic soil at the bottom. (very very thin) and the rest is moss.

 

[jojackson]

No, why put soil? The entire point of using inert (or close to) mediums is that no nastys
can inhabit it and effect the eggs. Soil of any kind contains all kindsof bacteria, spores micro organisms, the idea is to eliminate that.
Whilst the moss is organic, its naturally acidic and inhibits mould growth.

Moist means slightly damp to touch. The best way to acheive this is to prepare your egg containers days ahead. After 24 hrs on the heat, condensation will form on the inner lid.
If there is only a very thin thin of moisture, not droplets thats about right. If there are droplets, soak up the water with paper towels till only a fine film occurs.
During this few days you will be adjusting your temps.

Since you already have the egg? you need to stabilise it soon and keep it moist (not wet), you can wet the moss then squeeze it in your hand till no water comes out, then tease it apart and and spread it out. Thats pretty close. If you think theres too much water in it, you can lay some slightly moist moss over the top of the eggs to catch drips and disperse direct water contact away from the egg.

 

[Dunnigan]

No, why put soil? The entire point of using inert (or close to) mediums is that no nastys
can inhabit it and effect the eggs. Soil of any kind contains all kindsof bacteria, spores micro organisms, the idea is to eliminate that.
Whilst the moss is organic, its naturally acidic and inhibits mould growth.

Moist means slightly damp to touch. The best way to acheive this is to prepare your egg containers days ahead. After 24 hrs on the heat, condensation will form on the inner lid.
If there is only a very thin thin of moisture, not droplets thats about right. If there are droplets, soak up the water with paper towels till only a fine film occurs.
During this few days you will be adjusting your temps.

Since you already have the egg? you need to stabilise it soon and keep it moist (not wet), you can wet the moss then squeeze it in your hand till no water comes out, then tease it apart and and spread it out. Thats pretty close. If you think theres too much water in it, you can lay some slightly moist moss over the top of the eggs to catch drips and disperse direct water contact away from the egg.

Why soil, idk i was just kind of "winging it"...

funny story about this egg...i was at the pet store buying crickets and i saw eggs in the leopard gecko cage...i told the guy and he pulled it out and gave it to me and said "Want an egg, we cant incubate them here..."

They kept one female with 5 males so we were fairly certain that the egg is good.

So this is why i didnt have proper time to get a suitable incubation medium ready in advance

 

[jojackson]

Any idea how long it was in the cage? How did he handle the egg? how did you handle/transport it?
If it wasnt there long and you were careful not to alter its orientation it may be ok,
generally its best not to turn them.

Whats the egg look like? If its smooth and white it may be ok. If it begins to yellow its usually a sign that either its infertile or has died. Keep incubating anyway, Nature often surprises us. I once hatched skink eggs I thought were no good.

A better idea might be to take a few prepared eggs boxs to the store and ask them to put them in for you. (same orientation). If the store is warm they should be fine. You could leave your number and have them call you to pick up?

 

[Dunnigan]

He said it was there 20 minutes before i got it, then the egg endured a 3 minute car ride to my place and then it sat on my dining room table for a few minutes while i got it all together...it kept the same orientation the whole time. (i kept it in my hand while driving)

the egg is solid white with 2 dents in it. other than that it is firm and from what i can tell healthy. Only time will tell tho...

 

[jojackson]

Once it absorbs some moisture the dents should go. It will dent some a few days before hatching, other than that it shouldnt. You'll notice it swells as it grows, but this should be slowly, if it swells fast there is too much moisture.

You might point out to the store owner, he will kill the female by keeping 5 males with her if he dosent sell her first. They may keep her constantly producing eggs and she will deplete her reserves, lose condition and eventually die. I doubt the feeding is up to scratch for a gravid lizard in a petstore.
I have seen this with geckos despite them only producing two eggs a clutch, they do produce more than one clutch, sometimes 3 or 4 depending on the females condition to begin with.
Egg production requires enormous energy and reserves from the female.

 

[Dunnigan]

They were dropped off recently by someone who was no longer able to take care of them. Normally they are good with reptiles, but i have to agree this is sub-par. I am sure that they will separate them once they can get another cage set up.

 

[jojackson]

Cool! Good luck with the egg!

 

[nscar00]

I've actually never had eggs in my possession believe it or not, so I wouldn't know exactly. I have read on it, but I'd rather let the experienced speak. I did have a question, myself, are incubation methods for all reptile eggs the same? Or no?

 

[jojackson]

No. Temperature varies, some are more susceptable to excessive water uptake IE some gecko species. As far as methods are concerned, you will get as many different answers as folk you ask.
The only factor that IS the same is that eggs should not be disturbed from their orientation unless you collect them as they being layed.
Also, with the exception of immediate collection, snake eggs adhere and are best incubated as a clump. Crude attemps to seperate them will destroy eggs.

P.S Dunnigan, How did the egg go?

 

[Dunnigan]

Its still dented but other than that its still white. The shell is soft, im not expecting it to hatch but im letting it continue untill im sure its not going to hatch. Im incubating at 86*F.

 

[jojackson]

Have you torched it? any veins? should hatch roughly 20 august, give or take a few days.

 

[Dunnigan]

Have you torched it? any veins? should hatch roughly 20 august, give or take a few days.

No veins and it is soft to the touch...not hopeful

 

[jojackson]

Nevermind, good excuse to buy a pair of leo's!