Homemade Snake Egg Incubators

Breeding snakes requires a simple incubator.

Breeding your pet snakes can be a rewarding experience, both as a hobby and as a means of extra income. Snake eggs require specific environmental conditions depending on the species. Transferring snake eggs into an incubator where you can control the temperature and humidity is essential to successfully hatching healthy baby snakes. There are many designs of prefabricated egg incubators available for purchase; however, a homemade incubator requires only a few basic materials and a little time to create.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic container
• Vermiculite
• Reptile heating pad
• Hydrometer with external probe
• Thermometer with external probe
• Misting water bottle

Instructions

1. Drill two or three small holes on both sides of the plastic container approximately 1/3 from the top in order to provide a means of air circulation. Ensure that the holes are not large enough to allow the hatchling snakes to escape. Also make sure that the top to the plastic container fastens securely to the body of the container.

2. Fill the plastic container half full with vermiculite.

3. Moisten the vermiculite with a spray bottle creating a damp but not saturated mixture. Most snake eggs will need a higher humidity level than the ambient level in most homes---the precise humidity range varies with species---which can be maintained by keeping the vermiculite moist. Be aware that an incubator with humidity levels that are too high can cause mold to grow on the eggs, which can prevent them from developing.

4. Place the plastic container over the heating pad to ensure that the proper temperature range is obtained. If the heating pad is too hot, you can buffer the heat by placing a towel between the plastic container and the heating pad.

5. Allow the incubator to sit for several days with the probes of the hydrometer and thermometer at the surface of the vermiculite to ensure that the temperature and humidity levels remain stable in the plastic container. Most digital thermometers and hydrometers will have a maximum and minimum record for every 24 hours, which can be helpful in confirming the stability of the incubator. If they fluctuate greatly, consider changing the location of the incubator.

6. Mist the soil as needed to maintain the humidity.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan ahead. Carefully observe the mating behavior of your snakes and have the incubator set up and ready for the arrival of the eggs.

• Determine a suitable location for the incubator. The incubator should be located in a quiet place where the temperature remains consistent and the enclosure will not be disrupted by household activities.

References

• Pet Place: Snake Egg Incubation
• Reptiles Web: Tips On Breeding Snakes
• Boa Tips: Breeding Snakes
• Snake Tracks: Breeding