I have struggled with hatching Gray-banded Kingsnake (Lampropeltis alterna) eggs for the past 34 years. Just when I feel I have it figured out, I have major catastrophes occur such as babies dying full-term in the shell, severely kinked babies, and babies not absorbing their yolk sacs.

I have tried vermiculite, paper towels, sand/peat moss mixes, and peat moss to varying degrees of success. Lately, I have been using peat moss employing the following strategy.

First, I use peat moss soaked in spring water for about fifteen minutes. I then squeeze out as much water as possible and “fluff” up the moss. I place the eggs either on top or in the middle of my peat moss in a half-gallon plastic jar with a tiny hole at the top. Then I place the jar in my incubator set at approximately 78 °F (25 °C).

I find the results to be similar if I have the eggs on top or sandwiched in the middle of the moss. Using this strategy, I hatch out MOST of my fertile L. alterna eggs; I still have some die full term in the shell or with severe kinks; however, most of my babies come out fine.

Feel free to describe your strategies to successful egg incubation!

Figure 1. The buried approach. All seven of these eggs hatched with no problems:



More photos under the jump...