The effects of incubation temperature on hatching success, embryonic use of energy and hatchling morphology in the stripe-tailed ratsnake Elaphe taeniura

Published source details Du W.G. & Ji X. (2008) The effects of incubation temperature on hatching success, embryonic use of energy and hatchling morphology in the stripe-tailed ratsnake Elaphe taeniura. Asiatic Herpetological Research, 11, 24-30.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Alter incubation temperatures to achieve optimal/desired sex ratio: Snakes & lizards Action Link
	Relocate nests/eggs for artificial incubation: Snakes Action Link

Alter incubation temperatures to achieve optimal/desired sex ratio: Snakes & lizards

A replicated, randomized, study in 1998 in a laboratory in Zhejiang, China (Du & Ji 2008) found that altering the incubation temperature of stripe-tailed ratsnake Elaphe taeniura eggs did not affect the sex ratio of hatchlings. The ratio of males to females varied from 2:5 to 13:6 and was not influenced by temperature (result presented as statistical test). In 1998, thirteen captive-born gravid females were acquired and housed in a wire cage (200 x 80 x 80 cm) at 30°C. Eggs were incubated at 22, 24, 27, 30 or 32°C, with eggs from each clutch split evenly between temperatures. Eggs were incubated individuals in covered plastic jars in vermiculite and water at a ratio of 1:2. Hatchlings were euthanized by freezing to -15°C to allow their sex to be determined.

(Summarised by: William Morgan)
Relocate nests/eggs for artificial incubation: Snakes

A replicated, randomized study in 1998 in a laboratory in Zhejiang, China (Du & Ji 2008) found that hatching success of artificially incubated stripe-tailed ratsnake Elaphe taeniura eggs was lowest at the coolest and warmest temperatures tested, and that incubation periods and hatchling morphology were also affected by incubation temperature. Hatching success was lower for eggs incubated at the coolest or warmest temperatures (22°C: 6 of 12, 50%; 32°C: 7 of 17, 41%) compared to eggs incubated at intermediate temperatures (24°C: 25 of 32, 78%; 27°C: 19 of 24, 79%; 30°C: 23 of 29, 79%). Incubation period decreased with increased temperatures from 102 days at 22°C to 51 days at 32°C. Five of seven morphological features were also affected by incubation temperature (see paper for more details). In 1998, thirteen captive-born gravid females were acquired and housed in a wire cage (200 x 80 x 80 cm) at 30°C. Eggs were incubated at 22, 24, 27, 30 or 32°C, with eggs from each clutch split evenly between temperatures. Eggs were incubated individually in covered plastic jars in vermiculite and water at a ratio of 1:2. Hatchlings were euthanized by freezing to -15°C to measure a 0range of morphological features.

(Summarised by: William Morgan)