How to Know If Milk Snakes Are Ready to Hatch

Once milk snake eggs are laid, there is no further parental environment. Unlike many animals, milk snake parents will not hover around their eggs to ensure their success. This behavior may cause concern for a breeder of milk snakes, but the snakes will hatch completely on their own in due time. Milk snake eggs will incubate between 28 to 39 days after being laid, and with proper care, the young milk snakes will reach mature size in three years.

Things You'll Need

  • Towel or heat lamp
  • Exacto knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look for slits in 70 percent or more of the milk snake eggs. These slits are caused by the baby milk snake's tooth. This indicates that the snakes are ready to hatch, but don't force them out. Wait between one or two days before going on to Step 2.

    • 2

      Increase the heat to 82 degrees Fahrenheit to encourage the snakes to hatch. To increase the heat, place a lid or towel over the storage box, or turn on a heat lamp and point it toward the eggs. Make sure the container has ventilation holes so the eggs can breath.

    • 3

      Cut a slit in the eggs that have not cracked on their own with an Exacto knife. Insert a 1 inch long line. Over the line, insert a 1/4 inch long "X" cut. This will allow the baby to squeeze out on its own.