Brian Gundy Talks About His Technique For Incubating Ball Python Eggs

[XxWoLfMaN11xX]

brennan here go to my channel to look at my ball python

[XxWoLfMaN11xX]

hi

[marthanmg]

how do you defrost your frozen rats?

[fgs9]

@marthanmg

I take the frozen rats out of the freezer and place them on a counter in my snake room and let them sit out over night. The next morning the rats are defrosted and I feed them to the snakes.

Have fun

Brian / FGS

[MrShadowwolf97]

i have one more question what can a newly hatched ball python eat

[fgs9]

@MrShadowwolf97

Pinkie rats, or small fuzzy rats. Never start on mice, unless that's all they'll eat.

Good luck

Brian / FGS

[MrShadowwolf97]

how do you know when to clip your python eggs?

[fgs9]

@MrShadowwolf97

I've been using the same incubator for about 10 years. I know from experrince that my eggs will hatch at around day 53 so I try and cut my eggs about day 50 to 53.

Brian / FGS

[MJT1223]

Can you email me on the prices and details of the pastels and spider... My email:

Matthew_taras23@yahoo.com thanks

[MJT1223]

Any pythons*

[MJT1223]

Do you have ones available right now?

[fgs9]

@MJT1223

Yes I have several male and female pastels, a male pied, a male spider and several male and female het pieds.

Brian / FGS

[MJT1223]

Hey brian are you still selling snakes?

[fgs9]

@MJT1223

Yes I do sell ball pythons and boas.

Brian / FGS

[marthanmg]

do you know about retics? what is the size maximum for the dwarf species of the retics.

[fgs9]

@marthanmg

Sorry, Retics are not my area of expertise.

Brian / FGS

[marthanmg]

my ball pythons are breeding well right now thank u for the advice, I just acquired san albino male that i would like to "join" the gene pool. Ive tried introducing females to him but to no avail. What can I do to stimulate him to breed. He is mature and good weight mind you. edit | remove

by marthanmg in playlist incubation

[fgs9]

@marthanmg

I've had pretty good luck with males that show little or no interest in the ladies by adding another male to the equation. Sometimes having 2 males with a female will kick start the snake that until then showed no interest in breeding.

Let me know if that works.

Brian / FGS

[marthanmg]

what incubation temps will yield males or females?

[fgs9]

@marthanmg

It is my understanding that temperatures that are kept during incubation have no effect on the ratio of male to female snakes.

I incubate at 89 degrees and I get a good mix of males to females.

Brian / FGS

[AnimeChick84]

how did you incubate in a closet?

[fgs9]

@AnimeChick84

I used to breed and sell colubrids. Incubation temperature for colubrids is between 72 to 82 degrees. I simply placed the eggs to be incubated into their nest boxes with a 1 to 1 ratio by weight of vermiculite to water into my hall closet. Aproximately 60 days later they hatched. There was no added heat, just the temperature of the hall closet.

Brian / FGS

[bigdodenigga]

you doing any reptile shows this year?

[fgs9]

@bigdodenigga

Yes, i'm doing the Herp World Expo in San Jose Ca. on July 21st and 22nd and the Sac Show in late Oct.

I really enjoy doing the shows.

Brian / FGS

[bigdodenigga]

@fgs9 are there better prices at the shows?

[fgs9]

@bigdodenigga

Higher quality animals usually sell for the same price whether you find them at shows or not. Don't let price drive whether you buy a particular snake let the quality of the animal drive your decision on what you buy.

Good luck

Brian / FGS

[devilem69]

I was wondering what size of vermiculite you used. There are so many choices...like expanded vermiculite, colors. Thx

[fgs9]

@devilem69

I don't think it really matters, I've used large flaked vermiculite and small flaked vermiculite. Don't worry about the size of the vermiculite, just make sure that is is free of asbestos.

Good luck

Brian / FGS

[IAMGiftbearer]

The website didn't have more than a few available snakes on it and they all looked older. Have you got any babies right now? I'd prefer to get two babies and raise them rather than to get adults because I want them to be nice and tame and be used to me picking them up once they reach adulthood. My first choice for at least one of them would be for an Ultramel. Have you got any or are you in the process of breeding some?

[fgs9]

@IAMGiftbearer

All I have are a few male and female pastels, a male pied, a male spider and several male and female het pieds. Sorry, but I don't have any ultrames in my collection.

Brian / FGS

[FeralRat]

What would you say is an 'acceptable window' for the temperatures? I keep my snake room at 80F using a space heater. Would that situation work? What would happen also if the vermiculite dried up, how would you fix that?

I'm leaning toward getting an incubator to eliminate the guess work, but I am curious about this technique.

[fgs9]

@FeralRat

I'd say anywhere from 87 to 90 degrees. I would think you might have issues at 80 degrees. If you follow my instructions on my video to the letter the vermiculite will not dry out and the eggs will hatch with out any problems. If you keep your snake room at 80 without any belly heat I would be concerned about ball pythons getting respiratory infection.

Brian / FGS

[FeralRat]

@fgs9 Thanks for the help. I'd heard of 87-90F as a rule before. From the video it sounded like there was a much bigger gap than that, so I was wondering what that meant is all.

[Kupo969]

This is a great video, Brian.

However, is the container top air tight? Or is the lid loose?

Thanks

[fgs9]

@Kupo969

I'd say the lid is not air tight. It snaps onto the top of the box.

Brian / FGS

[IAMGiftbearer]

Oh I found the website now. I just had to put dashes between the words.

[fgs9]

@IAMGiftbearer

Sorry about that, I'm going to be changing the address to be without dashes.

Brian / FGS

[IAMGiftbearer]

Very good information! Do you have a website?

[DirrtyMuffin]

Thank you bud for all your help!!!

[JakesJayas]

can't wait till i get a female bp to breed to my male then ur advice will kick in

[irish420Hitman]

lol if he TAUGHT you about it wouldn't you KNOW about it? :P

[snewchybewchy]

what does temp have to be to keep the eggs warm ? are there any other ways you can incubate them if you dont have an incubater ? im learning all i can before i start breeding my ball python in the next 3 to 4 years so ive got plenty time to learn the best ways before i attempt breeding. also is there an age limit to breeding the ball pythons like can they get too old like how a guinea pig or a chinchilla can. i use to breed rodents great source of money

[ferdelance72]

Thanks! This helped out A LOT!!!

[fgs9]

@BPmorphs212120

The eggs need to be consistantly the same temperature. If you place a heat pad underneath the eggs there is a chance that the top of the eggs will be a little cooler than the are that is making contact with the heat pad.

Brian / FGS

[LACREPTILES]

Found it lol thanks a lot for the help again btw not sure do u drill 2 holes or just 1

[fgs9]

@LACREPTILES

Lenny,

I drill a total of two 1/8 inch diameter holes one on each end of the nest box.

Brian / FGS

[killercompo123]

thanks for you vid, i just got home and found a clutch of eggs last min kind of thing. never saw the female ovulate, so i had to check out this video as a guide. thank you much!!

[jv122798]

great video as usual! one question is what brand name is your vermiculite you get from home depot? thanks and good luck with your breeding.

[fgs9]

@jv122798

I think I got my 40 pound bags from Orchard Supply Hardware (OHS).

The brand name seems to be Uni Gro. On the bag it says Premium Organic Vermiculite, Certified Asbestos Free.

I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

Brian / FGS

[rogerandjean1]

i love your video's they are very good for beginers to get an understanding in keeping and breeding pythons

[fgs9]

@rogerandjean1

Roger,

I'm glad the videos are helpful.

Brian / FGS

[Reptiguy425]

Can you make a video on getting stubborn males to breed!? I need tips!

[fgs9]

@Reptiguy425

Joey,

I'll do one real soon.

Thanks for your request.

Brian / FGS

[goatygeezer]

YOUR A GOD

[fgs9]

@goatygeezer

Just one of God's children.

Brian / FGS

[94madmike]

@fgs9 haha you know hearing stuff like that makes you feel good!!

[kevstagino]

great video man

[PowersPythons]

You have an excellent goatee!!! oh yeah you have some nice snakes too. lol.

[TKReptiles]

what is your hatch ratio?

[ilovelockerz7652]

so 16 ounces of water to every one pound of substance

[leos4life21]

what about retic eggs

[Twayner77]

what should the humidity be around??? i no that the temp can be 88-89ish.

[samlool123]

Hey brian.

Ive been planing on breedin by balls next year, ive got it all fixed and figured out but one thing.

The ventilation in the incubator should the air constantly be circulated to prevent mold on the eggs? ( have slim to non air circulation in my incubator at the moment)

// Sam

[458Dezzy921]

do u mist the vermiculite say every 3rd day or do u juss put the 1:1 ration then leave it till they hatch?

[fgs9]

@458Dezzy921

No I never mist the vermiculite. The great thing about this technique is that you don't have to do anything but wait.

Good luck

Brian / FGS

[GregMartinez1000]

Thanks brian. this video is very helpful and its the first video that covers everything and not in a complicated way. good luck.thanks.

Greg

[acido909]

hi Brian, great video, thanks for sharing!

Jack

[fgs9]

@acido909

You're welcome Jack, I hope you're having a great season.

Brian / FGS

[chyeaaitskristyn]

totally agree with how people think it needs to be perfect in the 88 89 range lol. C'mon people nature is a little (and I mean a little) more forgiving then that!

[SerpenteraExotics]

Hey Brian, Just wondering what model incubator do you use and how many egg boxes can you fit in it?

Eddie

Serpentera-Exotics

[fgs9]

@SerpenteraExotics

Eddie,

I use a Fisher Scientific Isotemp Incubator, it holds 15 clutches at one time.

Brian / FGS

[Oobibun3]

Finally, a simple and understandable video about incubation. Thanks Brian!

[fgs9]

@Oobibun3

You're welcome

Brian / FGS

[dodgeviper242]

Heyy Brian I have a Reptipro 5000 only becuase I don't have alot of clutches so I don't need nothing massive and I can't fit a shoebox tub in there so it's hard to measure the vermiculite especially me being my first time. Also I am pretty much using a glad tubware thing that you put leftovers in and I poked holes all around the sides, but my hummity supplier is on the bottom so would i be safe I had 8 eggs 6 went bad so I really wouldn't want the other 2 to go please help.

[fgs9]

@dodgeviper242

Nick, I'm so sorry, but I just found your comment. If you still any questions please call me at 408.981.6694 and I'll help anyway I can.

Brian / FGS

[flosstheprince]

I got to to say gundy is a good person as well as a reptile keeper. I called him all the way from chicago il an he called me back!!! an we chatted for a few hes so down to earth an trusten i wish we could have talked longer but (mind u) i was calling from chicago.thanks gundy an keep up the good work. guss wallace

[flosstheprince]

i like this guy he seems to know what hes talking about thanks gundy!!!

[fgs9]

@flosstheprince

You're very welcome Gus.

Brian / FGS

[jascarboro]

hey brian i tried msging did'nt work out but anyways my eggs were all slugs and when i tried candle them i saw nothing. they browned out after a day so i tossed them hopefully my other girl will go, just wondering i picked up some vermiculite "All treat farms premium vermiculite" is that fine? if not what do you recomend

thanks, maximus

[fgs9]

@jascarboro

Maximus, The best way to get hold of me is by calling my cell at 408.981.6694. I don't text. That vermiculite should be fine as long as it doesn't have fertilizer in it.

Brian / FGS

[jascarboro]

i just got my first clutch eggs are kinda small and starting to go brown any suggestions on how i can save them. please any info would be appreciated

thank you.

[fgs9]

@jascarboro

I'm sorry, I just now found your comment. Please give me a call at 408.981.6694 if you still have any questions.

Brian / FGS

[bigpythons1983]

hi brian,would it be the same for burm eggs just on a bit bigger scale?

[fgs9]

@bigpythons1983

Nick,

That is correct. If you have any questions please call me at 408.981.6694

Brian / FGS

[mufc4luf]

good video mate what humidty should it be in the incubator thanks

[fgs9]

@mufc4luf

I have no idea what the humidity should be in the incubator. What is important is that if you follow my technique, the guessing game is over. Just place the eggs in the nest box and wait 60 days or so. It's that easy. All that matters is that the eggs hatch and the babies are healthy.

Thanks

Brian / FGS

[mufc4luf]

@fgs9 so folllowing your technique i shouls not need to add any more water during incubation cheers

[fgs9]

@mufc4luf

That is correct, I never ad any water to the mixture. That is one reason why I have shared this technique with everyone. All you have to do is place the eggs into the nest box and wait, very simple.

Brian / FGS

[mufc4luf]

@fgs9 thanks alot brian

[devilem69]

@fgs9 Do you mean that you could set humidity from the incubator to 0% and let your incubating box with the mixtures of vermiculite/water do the humidity the job? and let the incubator regulate the temp of 89-90 F. Correct me if Im wrong! Thx

[fgs9]

@devilem69

That is totally correct. That's exactly what I do.

Good luck

Brian / FGS

[MrZephz]

brian i was wondering if i can leave the eggs with her?how much chance to i have?

[fgs9]

@MrZephz

I can't honestly answer that question because I have never done that before.

Good luck

Brian / FGS

[AvidHerp83]

excellent informative video! I will definitely be subbing and digging through your back catalog! thank you for posting this :)

[fgs9]

@AvidHerp83 You are very welcome, I hope it helps.

Brian / FGS

[reptilebusiness]

I really enjoy your videos. I really appreciate your honesty and expertise.

[fgs9]

@reptilebusiness

Thanks for the huge compliment.

Good luck with your season.

Brian / FGS

[ceramickangaroo]

with your one to one ratio do you add any more water throughout the incubation?

[fgs9]

No I do not add any water to the mix during incubation. The cool thing is that the 1 to 1 ration works well for colubrids too.

Good luck with your clutches.

Brian Gundy / For Goodness Snakes

[ceramickangaroo]

Sounds great, thanks you.

[jascarboro]

hey brian what would you reccomend for a incubator? i was thinking of the cooler methods. im expecting 3 clutches.

thank you, max

[fgs9]

@jascarboro

Max,

I think the cooler method would work great. If you plan on increasing the amount of clutches you have per year you might want to purchase a laboratory incubator, E-Bay is a great place to find them. I bought mine about 5 years ago for about $400. Another idea is to turn an old refrigerator into an incubator. Good luck with your clutches. If you have any more questions please to don't hesitate to e-mail me or call my cell at 408.981.6694

Brian Gundy / For Goodness Snakes

[hovafl]

Great video it helped clear up a few things for me. But one question, in using an incubator without a circulatory fan how often should I open the incubator to cycle in new air?

[fgs9]

@hovafl

James,

I'm glad the video cleared up a few things for you.

Great question!

My incubator does not have a circulatory fan in it either. I usually open the lid to each nest box about once a week to check on them. That seems to work well for my eggs.

Best of luck with your clutches

Brian Gundy / For Goodness Snakes

[hovafl]

Thanks alot, I appreciate your willingness to help others. Good luck this season also.

[randallpegues]

great vid ...i cant wait for my balls to drop haha 5 *

[fgs9]

@randallpegues

Randall,

Thanks for the compliment.

Good luck with your projects.

Brian Gundy / For Goodness Snakes

[ethan42westall]

thank you so much for making this video. i'v been wondering how i'd have to incubate my ball eggs if i ever got a clutch and now i know. i already know how to use perlite for leopard gecko eggs but i'll use vermiculite for the ball pythons. it seems to work better for them than perlite. again thanks for the video!

[fgs9]

@ethan42westall

Ethan,

You're very welcome, I hope it works out well for you.

I'm glad I could help.

Good luck with your season

Brian Gundy / For Goodness Snakes

[0MichiganExotics0]

just careful Brian because home depot sell 2 different vermiculite one have fertilizer ingredients and some are natural

[fgs9]

@0MichiganExotics0

Thank you so much for letting us know. I for one have never bought vermiculite from Home Depot, I've only picked it up from Orchard Supply, but assumed Home Depot had it in stock.

Thank you so much for giving us this warning. If nothing more comes from this video other than your insight then it was a success.

Great Comment!!!!

Brian Gundy / For Goodness Snakes

[nomalpythons]

very nice vid Brian 5*****

[fgs9]

@nomalpythons

Thanks a lot.

I hope you have a great season.

Brian Gundy / For Goodness Snakes

[gerijuana]

Sweet Video Brian 5*s

[fgs9]

@gerijuana

Thanks Gerry,

I hope you have a great season.

Brian Gundy / For Goodness Snakes

[zucabrasil]

Great video, thanks.

[fgs9]

@zucabrasil

You're very welcome.

I hope this video will eliminate some of the guessing that goes along with incubating snake eggs.

Brian Gundy / For Goodness Snakes

[JandDReptiles]

5* vid Brian!! Definitely a vid that will help out the new snake breeders out there! :)

-Jeremy T.

Owner of J and D Reptiles

[fgs9]

@JandDReptiles

Jeremy,

Thanks for your comment.

I hope this video will help those that are just not sure about how to incubate snake eggs.

Best of luck with your season

Brian Gundy / For Goodness Snakes

[JandDReptiles]

Your welcome! I am sure this will help many! :)

-Jeremy T.

Owner of J and D Reptiles

[ctnpythons]

At what weight do you start breeding your ball python?

[fgs9]

@ctnpythons

Females can be bred at 1400 to 1500 grams, usually at 3 years of age. It is always best to lean toward the heavier side. Some males will breed at around 6 months or from 400 to 800 grams. You will usually have better luck if the male is at least a year or two old. Remember the number of eggs in a clutch is usually drivin by the size of the female, small female / small clutch.

I hope that answers your question.

Good luck

Brian Gundy / For Goodness Snakes

[ctnpythons]

great info,thank alot.

[fgs9]

@ctnpythons

You're very welcome.

Brian Gundy / For Goodness Snakes

[XSpringer]

Brian,

Nice vid. Have you always used this technique? I don't believe I've seen anyone else using ventilation wholes for ball python egg incubation. Actually as I'm sure your aware most use press n seal so even a simple lid isn't enough as general practice. Do you have any concerns with your media in the egg box drying out or humidity loss?

Xavier

[fgs9]

@XSpringer

Xavier,

It's great to hear from you.

Yes I've used this technicue for 20 years now. I used it with colubrids for 10 years then transfered the method to ball python eggs. I can only tell you that there are many ways to incubating reptile eggs. This method works best for me. I never have to add anything to the mixture and 100 % of viable eggs hatch using this technique.

Best od luck with your season.

Brian / FGS