How to Make a Styrofoam Reptile Incubator

You can buy an expensive reptile egg incubator, but if you are only incubating a few eggs at at time, it's less expensive to make your own out of a Styrofoam cooler. Styrofoam coolers are waterproof, relatively durable, and the thick walls provide insulation that prevents drastic temperature swings. Styrofoam boxes are available at grocery stores, gas stations and drug stores.

Things You'll Need

  • Styrofoam cooler
  • Brick or flat chunk of Styrofoam
  • Submersible aquarium heater
  • Ceramic or glass plate
  • Water
  • Aquarium thermometer
  • Plastic shoebox container
  • Hygrometer
  • Incubation medium
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a brick or flat chunk of Styrofoam in the bottom of the Styrofoam cooler. This acts as an elevator that keeps the internal container above the surface of the water. This prevents the eggs from getting waterlogged. If the interior container is large, you may need to use more than one brick or piece.

    • 2

      Place a glass or ceramic plate in the bottom of the cooler. Adjust the aquarium heater to the desired temperature and place it on the plate. Make sure the heater does not touch the Styrofoam.

    • 3

      Fill the Styrofoam cooler with water until it covers the aquarium heater. The water level should be just below the surface of the brick or Styrofoam chunk.

    • 4

      Add an aquarium thermometer to the water. Use a glass submersible or floating type. Stick-on thermometers don't work for incubators because the adhesive can't stand up to the humidity.

    • 5

      Fill your internal container half full of incubation medium. Depending on the species of reptile, the medium can be vermiculite, sand, sphagnum moss or shredded coconut fiber.

    • 6

      Add water to the medium until it is damp but not soaking wet. Squeeze a handful of the medium to test the moisture level. If more than a few drops of water come out, it's too wet.

    • 7

      Place the hygrometer into the internal container and put the lid on. Place the internal container on top of the brick or Styrofoam chunk. Tilt the container slightly to allow condensation to drain into the medium. This prevents water from falling directly on the eggs.

    • 8

      Place the lid on the Styrofoam outer container and plug in the aquarium heater. It may take a day or two for the incubator to reach the correct temperature.