need help on ID and a bit more info

[StonerFishy]

long story here:
ok guys yesterday was a crazy day, while biking with my buddy on the trails we come across this bad boy what we think is a snapping turtle. on the way back we see some idiots around the same age has the turtle on its back poken it and this other guys smashen the turtle eggs!!!! i watched her lay them not 30 min before that. so after a swift can of the kick ass was given we manage to save about 7 eggs didnt shake them at all the entire ride back and all are perfectly round. ive got them in some type of incubating medium my buddy uses for bearded dragon eggs. any idea what the ID is on this? oh and about 2 hours after all this i get a call from a fellow pet lover and hes got an orphaned skunk the city will kill it right away and in ontario its illegal to have but i plan on keeping it for another 9 weeks till its big enough and let it out in the forest. any info on caring for these guys will be greatly appreciated i dont plan to keep any of these guys kept captive for aslong as they have to be. also i have a 150gal pond and many many large empty tanks to hold them till the time comes to go back to mother nature. i believe the skunk is at 4 weeks it can walk but not well at all. sorry for the long ramble guys

 

[A. gigas]

looks to be an alligator snapper, but not sure..

whatever you do, don't put your fingers anywhere near the babies!

 

[snakeguy101]

it is a common snapper. the eggs have to be kept in the same position as when they were laid, otherwise, they will suffocate and die. It is very important to keep the eggs right side up. Keep them on vermiculite and make sure that they are warm and in 100% humidity. the best way to do this is to put them in a smaller container inside of a 10 gal tank with a few inches of water and a water heater. prop the small container up so that it is out of the water but cover the lid of the 10 gal so that the humidity stays up.

good luck.

PS I would just release the skunk now, you will end up stinky and even if you don't then you have removed its fear of humans so it will now approach them once you release it (which is obviously bad).

 

[StonerFishy]

how the heck do you tell if a perfectly round egg is right side up lol when i watched her lay the eggs they were tumbled and stacked like crazy

 

[snakeguy101]

there is a window of a few minutes while the eggs settle, after that most people use a non toxic marker to see which way the egg should lay by marking the top of each one.

 

[StonerFishy]

you are the first to say this and ive been reading a **** load on this non stop. if ur not just bull****ting me like alot of know nothings like to do then im just gunna have to try my luck i couldnt possibly tell what side is right side up since a few idiots decided to get at it. i could only assume they moved alot in the burrow. all ive been told by a few care takers at the reptile house is that u got 5 hours from the time of laying to move them after that ur SOL

 

[krichardson]

The egg position part is new and interesting to me also and I was'nt aware that snappers were found across the border.I keep thinking that it does'nt get very warm in that part of the world....and good for you for saving the turtle,eggs and the skunk.....I think I read somewhere that they can be fed soft cat food.

 

[snakeguy101]

you are the first to say this and ive been reading a **** load on this non stop. if ur not just bull****ting me like alot of know nothings like to do then im just gunna have to try my luck i couldnt possibly tell what side is right side up since a few idiots decided to get at it. i could only assume they moved alot in the burrow. all ive been told by a few care takers at the reptile house is that u got 5 hours from the time of laying to move them after that ur SOL

you dont need to be rude. here is a link to some very good info about the general care of reptile eggs containing the following exert:

"Shortly after laying, reptile embryos begin developing. In addition to the embryo, each egg contains a nutrient rich yolk, amniotic fluid, and an airspace. Typically within 3-4 days (but as soon as 24 hours) of being laid, the egg "sets," that is, the embryo settles to the bottom of the egg with the air space at the top. After this has occurred, the eggs should not be turned, and should be moved as little as possible, as disrupting this interior arrangement can quickly lead to death of developing herps."

http://lllreptile.com/info/library/care-and-husbandry-articles/-/incubation-of-reptile-eggs/

 

[Rays of Sunshine]

It is very important to keep the eggs in the right position. I have seen this when turtle and alligator eggs are moved to protect an endangered species on documentaries. Here is a link that can help you. It even tells you how to find the top of the egg. Good Luck!!! http://turtle_tails.tripod.com/raisingbabyturtles/tour8.htm

 

[Bottomfeeder]

you are the first to say this and ive been reading a **** load on this non stop. if ur not just bull****ting me like alot of know nothings like to do then im just gunna have to try my luck i couldnt possibly tell what side is right side up since a few idiots decided to get at it. i could only assume they moved alot in the burrow. all ive been told by a few care takers at the reptile house is that u got 5 hours from the time of laying to move them after that ur SOL

You know what? Snakeguy101 is one of the smartest and most respected members of the MFK Reptile community. He has probably helped more Herp guys out with their animals than every other member combined, me included. You're probably the only one who has a problem with him. It seems he was just trying to help...