One of the easiest and most reliable methods of incubation for reptiles is the following incubator. It is a good way to keep a constant temperature and also keep the humidity high. Please look at the illustration at the bottom of the page to see how it is set up. Note: This is for reptile eggs, NOT bird eggs. The humidity in this incubator would kill any bird eggs.

Materials

  • From A Pet Store
    • 10 gallon aquarium
    • Glass lid for 10 gallon
    • Submersible fish tank heater
    • Thermometer/humidty gauges
  • From A Garden/Hardware Store
    • 2 Bricks
    • Vermiculite (a type of soil)
    • Plastic shoebox with lid

Setup (Make sure this is complete at least a week before eggs are expected to be laid!!)

  1. Place aquarium in a room where the temperature will remain constant and do not put it where it will get direct sunlight because that can dramatically alter the temperature
  2. Put the two bricks inside the tank and fill with water till just below the top of the bricks
  3. Place the submersible heater (set to appropriate temperature) completely under the water. Wait 1 hour before turning on.
  4. In the shoebox, fill it with damp vermiculite apprx 1.5" to 2". (For damp vermiculite, do 6 parts vermiculite to 4 parts water.)
  5. Punch some small holes into the shoebox lid for air circulation, but not too large or water will drip onto eggs.
  6. In one corner of the shoebox, put the thermometer and humidity gauge. Make sure it will be easy to read/see without having to move the box.
  7. Place the shoebox with the lid closed in the tank and put the glass lid on. The only hole to the outside should be where the heater cord comes out. Then lid is important so that when the babies hatch, they do not get out and drown in the water!
  8. Monitor the temperature and humidty for at least 24 hours. If too high, lower heater temperature and raise if temperature is too low.
  9. If the humidity is too high, increase the amount of air allowed to enter the 10 gallon tank. If too low, try adding an airstone (from a pet store) into the water.
  10. Monitor for another 24 hours to make sure everything is correct.
  11. To add the eggs, place them halfway into the vermiculite, making sure not to rotate the eggs at all! (If you do, it could kill them embryo!) Put shoebox back into the 10 gallon. Replace lid, watch and wait.
  12. Check the eggs everyday to make sure they are sill doing alright and that the temperature and humidy are correct. Add water when needed. If you see any rotting eggs or collapsed eggs, remove and dispose so they do not affect the healthy ones!

Incubator