Reptile Incubation Time And Temperature

Incubating reptile eggs is VERY different from incubating bird eggs. Each species has different incubation temperature requirements, time and characteristics. It is VERY IMPORTANT for a successful hatch that you first do your research about your specific species to understand their requirements. In the tables below we have some of the most popular reptiles in the market today.

Table 1 depicts the average time, temperature, and if the species is classified as temperature-dependent sex determination.

• Termperature-Dependent Sex Determination: This simply means during the early weeks of incubation, the sex of the hatchlings they will eventually emerge from the eggs are influenced by the temperature. Not all species of reptile are temperature-dependent sex determinate either. This is where that research into the species of reptile you are considering hatching pays off.
• EXAMPLE: If you want more females from your hatch then you may be able to incubate at a certain temperature to get better odds of more females. This will not result in a 100% female hatch but will have greater count of females.

Please also note that several factors can change the amount of incubation time listed below. The incubation temperature, humidity level, egg handling, and genetics are some of them.

TABLE 1

Table 2 only contains the species which were specified to be temperature-dependent sex determinate in Table 1. Table 2 specifies the desired temperature for majority male, a 50/50 mix, or female hatch. 

TABLE 2

*Bearded Dragons are a rare case where they are actually NOT temperature-dependent sex determinate EXCEPT when incubated over 90°F the chromosomes which determine the sex of the hatchling appear to be overwritten because studies have shown increased female hatchlings. There is not a temperature to increase male odds however.