Reptile Incubation

Nowadays reptiles are in great demand. Common people are attracted towards the reptiles because of their quality and behavior as a pet. Reptile owners enjoy having reptiles as a pet and even like to breed reptile species in a captive environment.

Reptile incubation helps the owner to develop healthy and colorful pet. Reptile breeders use a specially designed incubator to incubate the eggs. An incubator plays a very crucial role in the incubation process. For efficient functioning of reptile incubator, thermostat should be set properly to prevent the loss of heat and moisture. It is recommended to set the reptile incubator few days before the egg delivery.

Laying of egg :- Female reptile should be fed properly. They should be given well balanced diet with high calories during this period. The calcification of eggs in the female body requires large amount of calcium. Reptiles should be provided with proper space in the enclosure to lay eggs.

Shifting of reptile eggs :- When the laying of eggs is completed, the embryo of reptile starts developing. Each egg contains a nutrient rich yolk, amniotic fluid and airspace. Generally after 2-4 days of eggs being laid, embryos settle down at the bottom with airspace at the top. After this process, eggs should not be shifted as it may cause death of herps.

Medium of Incubation process:- There are different medium of reptile egg incubation. Mostly breeders use ‘perlite’ or ‘vermiculite’ for reptile incubation process. Sand, coconut husk, and soil are other good medium for incubation. However, these mediums provide less airflow in the reptile incubator that leads to rotting of eggs. The medium should remain moist for healthy growth of embryos. The reptile egg incubator should be chosen according to the size of the eggs. Different species of reptile eggs require different level of humidity in the incubator.

Choosing a right incubator:- Incubator technically means a device used to maintain a constant temperature. Here you will need an incubator that is well insulated and easily helps in visual inspection of the eggs. ‘Hovabators’ is one of the commonly used incubators by reptile breeders. If you are a beginner, then it would be better to purchase an incubator rather than making it at home. Since reptile eggs incubation involves lot of risk, never forget to use the thermometer. It will help you to check and regulate the temperature in the reptile incubator.

Inspection of reptile eggs:- During the reptile incubation period, you should check the temperature and the condition of the eggs. You should keep a regular check on the condition of the egg to check if they are hot, cold, wet, or dry. If the eggs are wet, you can leave the container uncovered so that excessive moisture can evaporate. In case of dry eggs, you can add water in the container. Incubation time differs according to the species of reptile. It also depends on the temperature and humidity level provided in the container.

Hatching of reptile eggs:- Majority species of eggs will ‘dimple’ and come out before hatching. This is the sign of ‘eminent’ hatching. Typically, hatching begins with pipping of the eggs from inside. Some newborn reptile takes only few hours to come out of the egg whereas the others like to remain in the eggs even after several days of piping. Never force them to come out; they emerge when they are ready to join. For a healthy baby reptile, you should leave it in incubator for about 24 hrs post-hatching. This helps them to recover themselves without any shock of sudden change in temperature.

This above mentioned information will help you to know about reptile incubation. Reptile incubation is not a difficult process, if you have proper knowledge about it.