Leaving Phelsuma neonates in incubator?

Kevin McRae · #1 02-02-2012, 06:13 PM

Hi,

I've hatched several species of geckos before but I've always been home within a day of when they hatched. I'm going to be away from my home for 4 days when a clutch of eggs is due to hatch. Do you think the geckos will be alright in the incubator for that long of a period?

daggekko · #2 02-02-2012, 06:59 PM

Probably. The thing I would worry most about is them not having any water. They will eat their shed upon hatching, and the babies I have hatched don't eat much for the first 1-3 days after hatching. Do your incubation containers have condensation inside? If so I bet your geckos will be just fine until you get back.

Sgvreptiles · #3 02-02-2012, 09:11 PM

4 days they will be fine. I have left hatchlings in my incubator for up to 7 days before taking them out with no ill effects. Little thin, but bounced back just fine. Though i do incubate my eggs in a large deli cup on top of a floresent power supply so there is always moisture built up on the lid and walls.

Kevin McRae · #4 02-02-2012, 11:25 PM

I figured as much. The container does not have any condensation but I'll just spray the side of the container and it'll last for the four days.

Thanks for the input.

terradas · #5 02-03-2012, 10:10 AM

They will absolutely be fine. As someone mentioned, the humidity will ensure a good first shed.

One of my hatchlings escaped immediately after hatching and spent several weeks running around my dark, cold, dry basement. It was recaptured and is perfectly healthy aside from growing a little slower. 4 days in the incubator should not do any harm.

Mark_D · #6 02-04-2012, 03:12 PM

totally agree with everyone, so long as the clutches are incubated individually so there is no chance they disturb other eggs!

daggekko · #7 02-04-2012, 03:41 PM

I use a marker and put a small dot on the top of the egg before I ever move them. This way if I bump the incubation box or a hatchling bumps an egg I can flip it back to the correct position!

Kevin McRae · #8 02-05-2012, 06:54 PM

So they hatched today. These were my first ever Phelsuma hatchlings so I guess I was a bit off on the incubation timing. at 84-86F they hatched in 49 days. I was expecting them to hatch closer to 60 days.

terradas · #9 02-05-2012, 07:01 PM

Sounds about right, that the upper end of safe temps. Congrats and post pics!

Kevin McRae · #10 02-06-2012, 11:32 AM

Here is one of the cuties.