How to incubate ball python eggs!

[@lloydhembury925]

This is what I love about your videos. You don't waste any time with introductions or scenic shots of your snakes with some music in the ground. You just get straight to the point and share the information all us beginners are actually looking for. Really well presented and one of the most informative channels out there. I love your videos and wish you all the luck in all future ventures

[@ireignsupreme2355]

Also no commercials

[@KERRIESCARINGNURSERY]

You can sprinkle athlete feet or jock itch powder on fungus eggs and it will help save the egg by killing the fungus and it doesn’t hurt the babies. Also eggs that are “sunken in” try to put it in another container with a small cup of warm water beside it (not touching it just in the container with the egg) just to hydrate it and then you can put it back cause your humidity is to low causing it. I have done so much research on ball python eggs and these tips seem to work and if your nervous about the powder (which I have seen it work lol) being on there when the eggs hatch just dust the eggs off that have the powder on them a couple days before hatching date but I have so far not seen a snake be harmed from hatching with the powder on them. I think snake discovery and Nerds have videos on this issue and using the powder. Hope this helps and you have a nice setup and some beautiful snakes!!

[@ck6152]

Congratulations Chris, be great to see when they pip out!

[@412balls]

Great video! Definitely will be helpful for any first time breeders!

[@stormzyclan9346]

I just want to say thank you for the amazing videos, I love your videos so much, you give so much good tips and tricks, i feel like your videos are better than other videos... why? 1. Because you have NO clickbait 2. You get right to the point 3. Whenever I see your videos I know everything you say is the truth, so thank you so much for the FANTASTIC videos, keep up the great work, and also I have a question, can you list the 10 cheapest and best snakes in your opinion please😊😁 I am thinking about starting to breed snakes and keep them as pets

[@sumkid779]

Nani?!

[@rafaelhelel3595]

damn i love you morthen you know.havent seen your videos in a year.today i walked into my 1st clutch of the year.good thing for your videos.help me dust my shoulders a bit. banana pied X pinstripe clutch

[@kit_cat_cutie]

Ball python eggs always look like potatoes XP awesome vid!

[@ghosttechtips6944]

Every since i seen these videos on morphs and ball pythons I suddenly am so interested in python eggs, the different morphs. Really like these videos they are very educational and you can tell the breeder is very passionate about what he does. Really cool been binge watching these might get a snake soon always wanted one. With so many choices I dont know what to choose as a starter.

[@mattyconstantino3466]

Dude your great I’ve learned so much from watching your videos I just wanted to say thanks!!

[@michaelross5674]

Nice I can't wait until I get some eggs

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

That's when things get really exciting!!!

[@SalmonBoa420]

Great video 👍 lots of good useful tips. Thanks for for content

[@ChasingSunRaee]

Absolutely love your channel

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Thanks!

[@hhhserpents5495]

Looking good for the egg situation so far!

[@dancanepele5096]

Hi Chris! like the videos please keep them coming. I have a question that i hope you can help me on. once you pull the female off the clutch how long do you have to get them set up in the incubator before they are no good? I have heard as quickly as you can & I have heard like 15 minutes. any help would be great! Thanks!

[@Zippo1617]

You my goto breeder for quality information...

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Thanks!

[@erikaaberle6354]

I am months late to this video so I hope someone sees it...if you have just one clutch of eggs can you incubate on a heat mat with a thermostat or is it necessary to have a incubator similar to what you have built?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

You really need an incubator, something that will keep the temps at about 90F and the humidity near 100%.

[@taeviansworldofreptiles3828]

Very nice clutch man! You got some work ahead of you lol

[@alexnocheee]

This is a helpful video when it comes from breeding stage 😊 thanks a lot idol 😊💕

[@kevinkane1405]

Thank you

[@mobilepaintworks]

Hey Chris I really enjoy your videos and thank you for posting them. This is my first year breeding and my 19yr old female laid her first clutch ever yesterday. There were 9 good healthy eggs. For some reason I went off of memory and prepared my tubs with only 100g of water and 100g of vermiculite. When I swap the press and seal should I add more of both to get them to the 200g mark? What do you think. You've given me confidence and lots of good advice to start breeding ball pythons. I have another female who just hit the pre-lay shed and another who is just going into the pre lay.

[@victorbarrios4675]

Great video and info! I have a pair of mexican kingsnakes. I've never bred snakes. Can I use the same process for kingsnakes when creating incubation tub? I know temperature and length of incubation is different.

[@manuelsreptiles4630]

Great video. I just got my first clutch this morning.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Awesome! The first is always the most exciting!

[@dvlexotics2177]

Thats awesome I remember my first clutch 15 yrs ago it was spiders 7 eggs 5 hatched.

[@lowlifeexotics3070]

Nice clutch Chris 👌!!

[@andrewmorton1389]

Where does the power strip inside of your beverage cooler go???

[@Cheese_Boi1986]

you should try using 35c water and putting the rat in a water tight bag, i found it creates a really strong scent, if you do try or have tried this method plz let me know how you found it

[@ssaccoccie]

Where do you get your racks? There seems to be a shortage everywhere.

[@AvetFisher]

How long with that battery backup run the incubator?

[@willop572]

Hey Chris, to maximize incubator space would it be ok in your opinion to stack egg boxes on top of one another? Any foreseeable issues that might cause?

[@melissademarco7593]

Amazing video thanks for all the details in 1 vid!!

[@peteywheatstraw7717]

With the substrate that you use what do you use for your heat source for your tubs? Do you use heat tape or what?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

The ARS racks have a heat panel that covers about 1/4 of the bottom of the tub in the back.

[@ballpythons6776]

excuse me if I didn't see it, but did you make a video for maternal incubation? I'm definitely interested in trying that

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I've never tried that before, it seems a bit too risky for me.

[@ballpythons6776]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures thanks for the reply

[@BnBExotics_Feeders]

What kind of vermiculite do you use?

[@indigoxalis]

Hi! A bit of a random question, but where do you get your substrate? Is there a place you can order large amounts of substrate?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I buy it from Prococo by the pallet. Check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6bYe5Snf9uUbMk

[@peteywheatstraw7717]

What type of screen tray that is you're using in the bottom of the incubation tub?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I use a plastic egg crate like this one, here is an Amazon affiliate link: amzn.to/33WtjOw

[@daviddibble958]

What should the humidity be at? Do you use a hygrometer?

[@trinaholifield4935]

Thanks for the great videos! My daughter and I both learn so much from you.. wish you were closer to Mississippi! Can’t wait to see the babies hatch out! You help answer tons of questions we have running our bp rescue. We r up to 10 snakes, and would love to take in more. I do have a question... have u ever had a snake who’s eyes looked clear, but strikes and misses, she just can’t seem to find the prey. I really think she may be partially blind. Sasha is a rescue who had been neglected, fed very little and had multiple stuck sheds on her when she came to me. Any advice u could share would be appreciated. Thanks! Trina and Lacey Holifield

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Most snakes are not very accurate when they strike.

[@jennasksksk9369]

She might be a spider bp please research them

[@jconn5865]

Great video new python hobbyist just starting out thinking about getting into breeding. Quick question, so putting the white top/lid on the box doesn’t cut off the press n seal ventilation ? I assumed there would be some sort of holes in the plastic container or lid

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

No holes needed, the air goes right through the press and seal.

[@bmanee9514]

Did the one with the band aid hatch?

[@ChriZzyGoesCraZy]

Can i place the eggs without the egg crate

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Some people do, but if you use egg crate you don't have to worry about too much moisture in the substrate. In fact I've seen people use egg crate over just a tub full of water with no substrate.

[@helluhmad2099]

That table is down bad lol

[@mosaexotics6587]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. I have a clutch incubating now. I think I'm going to get some press and seal tomorrow. They only been incubating for about a week or so. Do you have the probe for the incubator in a tub or just in the incubator?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

My thermostat probe is taped to the heat tape. No other probes besides that one. You want to use a separate thermometer to map out your incubator though when you first set it up to make sure you don't have any cold spots.

[@PrecyseStylez]

Where did you get your incubation tubs from? What sizes are they?

[@m.m.aautos6608]

I got a female that's around 3-4 years old . I've had her for 2 of those years . Never seen her ovulate . Is that common ?

[@voodoowill4685]

Late comment but my ball just laid 7 eggs all fertile eggs! Mom is a pastel butter and the dad is a pastel yellow belly

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Congrats!

[@VinciKobra]

am i obligated to have an incubator if my room is at 86F ?

[@GuestU2]

Maybe I missed it, but what is your temp in the incubator and humidity?

[@DaFuqboom209]

I have a pinstripe female ball 😊

[@TheVickieyshady]

What kind of marker do you use and do you use warm water or cold water for the vermiculite

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I use a sharpie marker and I preheat my water to 90F before adding to the vermiculite.

[@TheVickieyshady]

Chris Hardwick thank you 🙏🏻

[@jeremydurga3527]

How often do you add water? And how much? Or is there no need to.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

You never need to add any more water.

[@ethanquigley11507]

Can someone tell me when breeding season is?

[@anthonysalas6085]

Hay Chris when you put box of eggs in the incubator do you put in lil hydrometer on each shelf to tell the temp and humidity or do you put the in the egg box or how do you guard the temp and humidity other then just the main thermostat...

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I don't use a hydrometer, I use press and seal on the egg boxes with no holes in the container at all. Keeps the humidity at nearly 100%.

[@anthonysalas6085]

Chris Hardwick oh OhKay got you how bout as far as the temperatures in the egg box or incubator do you use separate thermometers.?...

[@billythekid6509]

So u dont put any holes in the tubs they are complety sealed

[@frediricosifuentes200]

What temp do you have your thermostat set to for incubation

[@bryceburt6459]

Chris, I've just had my first clutch of eggs yesterday and set up my egg box exactly as you have said. 11 healthy eggs from my 6 year old female pastel. My question is - do you ever add water to your substrate throughout the incubation process or does your measured out amounts usually work just fine? i put on the flex seal but my latching sterilite tubs have small holes where the latches are (4 of them) do you think itd be in my best interest to tape those holes up quick to hold in humidity? im worried the holes will leak out humidity and cause my eggs to dry out

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I'd use Press and Seal on the top and block all other holes, make sure there's enough air on top of the press and seal for good oxygen transfer, it lets the air through but holds the water in. I don't add any more water during incubation.

[@bryceburt6459]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures thank you very much Chris this info will ease my anxiety of my first clutch

[@mdledford413]

this may have already been answered, so sorry in advance. But, WHY is there a need to incubate the eggs? in the wild, they hatch from just having the mother curled up on them. Can someone please answer this question??? Thanks.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

For breeders I think the biggest problem when letting the female sit on the eggs is that she stays off of food for the whole incubation period. If you remove the female you can get her back on feed and get her ready to breed for the next season.

[@James-cz9ze]

Is 70 or 80 eggs low for having so many snakes? It seems that based on the ratio of 1 male to every 4 females you should be able to produce just over 400 eggs with 100 snakes. Based on an average clutch of 5 eggs.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I usually only have about a dozen mature females that lay eggs, I get 6-13 eggs per clutch.

[@wildandwackywade]

Why do you take the females off their eggs can you leave the females with their eggs?

[@SADDLEBAGS6969]

If you dont have enough humidity do you just add water to the substrate you have?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Yes, you can just add more water.

[@michelegalea9287]

my parents hate snakes i secretly watch these

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

LOL!

[@bpzwcc6991]

Hey, Is there any air holes on the container? Do the eggs do okay with no air holes and a lid on top? Just wondering

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

No holes needed with Press and Seal.

[@Lauramussss]

no need to pop holes on the container? I wonder if I could use plastic wrap then pop some holes in it.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I don't think plastic wrap would breathe enough, may dry out too much with holes. You can get press and seal on Amazon.com, here's a link: amzn.to/2XTgaNU

[@Lauramussss]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures thanks a lot! but is a seal really necessary? thinking of maybe just using the lid since I know people who doesn't use the wrap. Would love to hear your advice. thanks!

[@Greenmanbacchus]

18:29 Words to live by, across the board ;)

[@albertocesarsilvestre4513]

Olá Chris ! muito obrigado pela explicação aprendi muito hoje com vc. gostaria de aprender mais. Aqui nesse Brasil as coisas são difícil as pessoas criam escondidos pois é proibido . como faço para comprar essa placa térmica? vc tem watzap gostaria de tirar algumas duvidas. você e fera no assunto. obrigado

[@OlWolf1011]

Broody Girl! 😆

[@ashleyw7588]

Your not supposed to to roll the eggs either you can sometimes lose the babies or so I have been told

[@ballpythons6776]

I'm not sure this is true because its impossible for them to drown in the egg otherwise theyd all drown. They don't get any actual air until they come out the shell on their own.

[@chasingthefish9042]

Have you ever used the sponge technique when incubating eggs? I hear water Crystal's are pretty good too

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I tried sponges in tubs for humidity and they tend to mold really fast. I've actually seen people just use water under the egg crate, you can use just about anything.

[@chasingthefish9042]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures only thing that males me nervous about just water is that accidents happen. You could make it splash on the eggs extremely easy. I use perlite and put enough water in it so that it's a bit less then quicksand. Then I put a piece of paper towel on it then the diffuser panel. I also keep my incubator very humid so I dont need press and seal. The humidity in the tub is 99 and the humidity in the interior is 99 so my condensation is on the walls of my incubator instead of the egg tub.

[@peteywheatstraw7717]

What type of scale do u use for doing ur weighing process??? Kan u use the same scale to weigh ur reptiles???

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

This is the balance I use, it will weigh even the largest ball python: amzn.to/2O8qKPo This is the one I use for my retics, not as accurate at the low end but it goes up to 400 pounds: amzn.to/2Ly8Xj6

[@isaaccastellanos6754]

I'm getting into breeding, do you recommend the zoo med reptibator incubator?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I would probably get one of these instead, here's an Amazon affiliate link. This one will heat and cool: amzn.to/3gKeaBX

[@stewiegriffin9218]

but wont the condensation build up again in few hours? whats the point of changing the sterile plastic?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

It usually takes a couple weeks to build up on the press and seal to where it will drip down on the eggs.

[@figero110]

What’s the plastic grate that the eggs sit on called? Can’t find it anywhere even online

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Here's a link: tinyurl.com/wk2kfh4

[@figero110]

Thanks! Was running out of time and couldn’t find it anywhere hopefully it will be here before next week

[@frediricosifuentes200]

Can you please show me what vermiculite you use? What is it called

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I just buy any vermiculite from Home Depot.

[@QuietlyRaging08]

So it won’t hurt for the eggs to be out for the 10 mins of changing the press n seal?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

No, they will be fine.

[@QuietlyRaging08]

Chris Hardwick thanks you!

[@htrago5581]

Don’t you lose moisture checking on them?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

A little bit, but it doesn't seem to matter that much.

[@punithkumar3790]

Can u help to export to india..

[@timcoyle50]

Where do you get the coconut hush substrate you use?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I buy it from Prococo by the pallet

[@timcoyle50]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures Bit to much for my 2 tanks w/ 2 balls

[@jasonostolaza6957]

Do you have to use the press and seal ?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Most people use it, some use a humidifier in the incubator instead.

[@Black-nv5ys]

Were did u get the racks to house your breadwinners?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

They are from ARS Caging.

[@Black-nv5ys]

Thank You.

[@vcotty]

Temperature and Humidity levels? You forgot to mention those. Thanks.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Temp is 90F. I don't monitor the humidity in the incubator, the press and seal keeps it pretty much at 100% in the egg boxes.

[@vcotty]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures Thanks for such a fast reply.

[@pageantgaga]

Did that sucked in egg hatch?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Nope

[@noodles2973]

When do you know you have to cut the eggs open

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

You really don't have to, I like to take a peek after waiting for two months!

[@noodles2973]

Thank you!

[@TheVickieyshady]

The vermiculite is the vigoro brand ??

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Any brand will do.

[@TheVickieyshady]

Thank you Chris Is my first season and I hope I can get something 🙏🏻

[@maxbarbosa0517]

I didn't know they laid so much im used to the leopard gecko 2

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Yes, it's pretty amazing!

[@juliehare3260]

Idk if I missed it but what temperature does it need to he at

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

90F in the incubator.

[@natasyli]

🖤

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

8)

[@hillbillyartscrafts4367]

i know a breeder thats been hatching ball python eggs for 20 years and he puts them right in the vermiculite without the egg crate, i called him out on it but he said hes never lost an egg so why change now, plus he told me to never cut my eggs it makes for weaker hatchlings

[@budyjames77]

It depends on how wet the substrate is, if it's too wet it will not work. Here is a video that explains it way better than I ever could: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppCVZ3irotKMftE Here is another video that shows how to make a water only (no substrate at all) incubator: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inzSo2ODgbGKeZY Both videos are by very reputable breeders. There is not only one way to correctly incubate eggs, however the only way to incorrectly incubate eggs is if the eggs die before they are hatched.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I've seen all kinds of stuff used, you can use pearlite, vermiculite, put them right in the vermiculate or pearlite or put them on egg crate, I've even seen just water under the egg crate with no other media. Everyone has their own technique, some people even use a dilute bleach solution to soak their eggs before incubation. Some people leave the eggs with the snake too. I just prefer to use the technique that I'm showing on the video, not saying it's the only way, just one of the ways you can do it.

[@dvlexotics2177]

I put my eggs right in the vermiculite has worked every year for 15 years.

[@jaynecobb5207]

Why would you call him out on it? That seems like a rookie thing to do

[@ogsepins6190]

What brand of Vermiculite do you use?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Any will work, I got my last bag from Home Depot.

[@ogsepins6190]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures Alright thanks

[@terrybillings616]

How often do you replace the fresh and seal

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Every 2-3 weeks.

[@terrybillings616]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures thank for replying

[@frediricosifuentes200]

Is there a fan in your incubator?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Yes, just one on the bottom.

[@frediricosifuentes200]

Is it built in? Or you just bought one and put it in?

[@davejames2015]

Will my female lay eggs even if I don't breed her?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Probably not, it can happen but it's rare

[@roitoxicmocha3286]

16:50 I dont have a label printer (?) Will sticky notes work fine?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Just make sure your kids don't pull them all off LOL

[@DevinS-jc6iz]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures what if you are 13 and breed snakes

[@banovak611]

Here is a question. If my egg boxes maintain 99% humidity with no condensation on the lids with no plastic wrap do i need to do anything else? I feel the tiny gap around the lid gives enough airflow. Maybe open once a week to allow more air flow? What are your thoughts?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

As long as your humidity is high enough you should be fine.

[@jaynecobb5207]

You actually don't want any airflow

[@epicadventures8971]

The thing that you put the eggs on. What is that called?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

It's called 'egg crate'. Here's a link: amzn.to/2IYYmwI

[@epicadventures8971]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures thanks

[@Ninakae1]

Would the snake hatch the eggs? Just curious!

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I don't think we have enough humidity here in Colorado, some people do it but I think it's safer with eggs in the incubator.

[@Ninakae1]

Ok thank you 😊

[@dvlexotics2177]

Maternal incubation takes alot out of the female. I did a experiment one year where I incubated all my clutches but 2. Thanks 2 clutches that were maternally incubated out of 8 eggs only 4 made it and the female didn't eat for a total of 11 months its really not good for the female if you were to give her a season off in-between clutches I guess you would be ok.

[@loganellis5449]

Hey first view lol

[@Andrew-pi3ny]

Lucky

[@buffalophil3630]

Hey so I have a male ball python I can't identify nor could another breeder..wanna give it a shot? I also gotta send it to Olympus reptiles for a second opinion just to make sure..can I send pics to your email?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

You could just upload it to the internet and post a link in the comments section under a video, this is the only place I really watch any more, my email is too flooded.

[@floydpros]

Why not leave them with the mother?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

You probably could if you had the proper temperature and humidity.

[@michaelross5674]

What are odds-on het clown and het clown

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

You would get 25% visuals.

[@MrDavidcarp]

🥚🐍🥚

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ

[@jamalchristian]

They look like dinosaur eggs

[@fsh8026]

This is the 11th Video on Incubators for reptiles. How to do it and so forth. But no one explanes WHY? Why an Incubator? Animals breed in the wild. Why can't you just let them do it in a Terrarium? Just because of more control? Couldn't you just put eggs in a little Tupperware inside the Terrarium? Well I'll head on and look if I'll find that info somewhere....

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

You really need the proper temperature and humidity to get the eggs to hatch. And if you do maternal incubation you run the risk of the female destroying the eggs by squeezing them too much.