Incubators are important tools for anyone wishing to breed egg-laying reptiles, as having one can greatly increase the likelihood of successfully hatching them. Commercial incubators, however, are often expensive and made to accommodate many eggs, usually far more than a beginning breeder is aiming for. So, as an alternative, you can make your own small egg incubators right at home after a quick trip to the hardware store.
- Skill level:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things you need
- Small Styrofoam box
- Vermiculite
- Mixing bowl
- Plastic sheet, big enough to cover top of Styrofoam box
- Thermometer
- Utility knife
- Tape
- Spray bottle
- Clamp lamp
- Heat bulb
- Tripod (optional)
-
1
Mix the vermiculite with water in the mixing bowl, creating a 50-50 water-to-vermiculite mixture. This will serve as the substrate for the bottom of the incubator.
-
2
Remove the styrofoam lid from the styrofoam box, if it has one, and dispose of it.
-
3
Cut the plastic sheet with the utility knife so that it fits over the styrofoam box.
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4
Twist several small air holes into the plastic sheet using the tip of the utility knife. A matrix of about six-by-six should work just fine.
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5
Place the vermiculite and the eggs to be incubated at the bottom of the styrofoam box.
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6
Place the thermometer inside the box. Many reptile thermometers have adhesive backing so you can stick them to the interior wall of the box.
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7
Tape the plastic sheet, which will serve as a lid, over the top of the box.
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8
Mount the clamp lamp to a tripod and angle it so that it is overlooking the top of the incubator. Attach the lamp about 5 to 6 inches from the plastic sheet so that the heat can penetrate toward the eggs.
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9
Screw in the heat bulb and plug in and turn on the lamp.
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10
Monitor the heat using the thermometer in the incubator. If it is too high, move the clamp lamp farther up the tripod. If it is too low, move it closer, but not close enough to melt the plastic sheet.
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11
Gently mist the eggs using the spray bottle after filling it with warm water. Misting may be required daily according to the species you're breeding.
Making a Small Incubator
Tips and warnings
- Always consult with an expert before deciding to breed reptiles, or if your reptiles have laid eggs; reptiles vary vastly in their individual requirements and some eggs may need more care, more misting, higher temperatures, or may simply be more delicate than others.
- Remember that the hatching rate of professional breeders using costly commercial incubators is still not 100 percent, so don't get discouraged if you lose an egg or two.
