A few eggy questions

[Stygian Faerie]

I'm sorry for asking when I know there is at least one thread on this subject already but for the life of me, I cannot find it.
I was speaking to a friend of mine about my eggs in the incubator and was asked if there are any big signs of them hatching soon and the only thing I could remember was that the eggs sometimes dimple/dent a couple days before hand. Can anyone remind me of other things? I do know that leopard gecko eggs can sometimes "sweat" just before they hatch but can't remember if that applies to the corns too.

Also, I've noticed this on at least one egg of every clutch I've had but never thought to ask about it before... But they sometimes get a strange mark on them, almost like a wee star or asterisk. Does anyone know what that is? I don't think they're anything to worry about as the snakes that have come from eggs with the mark have all been healthy. I'm more curious.

Lastly, I noticed a strange build up on one of my eggs this year. Instead of the egg being completely smooth it now had tiny little bumps on it that are really hard. My first thought was like it was a build up of calcium (I realise it's probably nothing of the sort but it's the best way to describe it). Anyone any ideas on what that is? Again, I don't think it's a danger to the egg, I'm just a curious cat I guess

 

[Susan]

I believe some breeders have seen corn eggs "sweat" before hatching, but in my experience, they usually don't. The dimpling/denting is a common thing, but it doesn't always happen. IMO, the best way is to count the days since laying, know what the temps are you're incubating at and know the incubation period in YOUR facility at those temps to judge when a clutch will pip. And then, checking daily staring about the week before the due date is always a good idea. Also, trust your instincts. If something says "Look at the eggs", DO IT!

Eggs can have a variety of imperfections, from "windows", "stars/starbursts/snowflakes", lumps and bumps, etc and you will be surprised just how protected the growing fetus still is inside that egg. Don't worry too much about the appearance of an egg as long as it is still firm. Healthy snakes have hatched out of some pretty bad looking eggs. Continue incubating until you know for a fact the egg has died.