Medical Matters

Successful Hatching of a Patched Varanus beccarii (Doria, 1874) Egg at the Saint Louis Zoo

Successful Hatching of a Patched Varanus beccarii (Doria, 1874) Egg at the Saint Louis Zoo

by Responsible herpetoculture - Oct. 24, 2022

Abstract. Paraffin wax and a section of latex medical glove were used to patch a black tree monitor
(Varanus beccarii) egg that ruptured after 118 days of artificial incubation. The embryo continued to
develop following the procedure and the egg hatched successfully 39 days later. To date, the juvenile
appears healthy with no ill effects from either the rupture or repair of the eggshell.

Responsible herpetoculture