Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need help for an incubator for wild snapping turtle eggs.
I would like to have one without an aquarium heater. I have already put them in a container. I did not turn the eggs because that will kill them. I don't know what i should do to help them hatch. I don't know how old they are.

Thanks,
Drew

And you collected them why?????

I collected them because a rain storm washed their nest away.

Drew-- First of all, make sure the bubble at the top of the eggs are facing up. (It sounds like you already did this.) This bubble forms 1 to 3 days after being layed and it's called "setting" or "chalking over". Put the eggs in a Tupperware or Sterlite container (shoe box size is perfect). The best medium is vermiculite but sand will do in a pinch. Put about one inch of vermiculite in the box and cover the eggs until they are about 1/5th exposed, at the top. Get the medium moist...but not muddy. Put the lid on or place some plastic wrap over the lid. Don't worry about air. The eggs will get plenty of air. But you need to retain the moisture. If you see constant moisture condensation on the sides of the container, this is a good moisture level. Monitor moisture levels once a week or so. If you want females, put the box somewhere warm (over 80 degrees). If you want males, put the box somewhere cooler (under 72 degree or so). In approximately 70 days after they were layed, you'll have hatchling snappers. Good luck! --Maxx

Thank you for your help. There's 23 eggs and they look good.Thanks again

Will 23 eggs fit in a shoebox size container?
Thanks

maybe you should put 11 in one box and twelve in the other then put one box in the higher temp area so you have like 11 females and 12 males.

Keep them warm at about 80F and moist, but not wet
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