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

Fill a 5 gallon bucket half way with soil, dig a hole 5 inches deep and place the eggs in it without turning them. Bury the eggs. No incubator is needed. They'll hatch just fine at room temperature. Don't let it get too dry.

this is perfect advise. I'd also add, if you have a covered front porch that is shadey and protected from rain, put them there. They'll not overheat or drown and they will stay warmer than the inside of your air conditioned house, so they will hatch sooner.

Thanks for the help.

I can't wait til these turtles hatch. I am going to release them where I found them. They are doing good.
Thanks for the help again

I just have one more question to ask, how can I keep the dirt from drying out. I've been sprinkling a little of water on the top of the dirt. I don't know if thats not enough. I have them in my house, in my living room next to my other turtle. The room is not air conditioned and it never is really cold in here.
Thanks for the help, I needed it
Drew

Turtle eggs will die if they dry out in the early stages of development. This is why I said to bury the eggs 5 inches deep in a 5 gallon bucket filled half way with soil. The surface of the soil may look dry, but down a couple of inches, it is still moist. Just sprinkle water on the surface when it looks a little dry.