How to Incubate Snapping Turtle Eggs

Snapping turtles are large, aquatic reptiles often raised as pets or for food. Living part-time on land and part in water, these turtles prefer slow-moving streams, rivers, and ponds. Snapping turtles are omnivorous, feeding on carrion, fish, birds, rodents, amphibians and aquatic plants. These turtles begin as quarter-sized hatchlings and may grow up to 20 inches long. They are shy and prefer to hide, avoiding human interaction. Eggs of snapping turtles may be incubated and hatched in captivity using a homemade incubator.

Things You'll Need

  • 5-gallon tank
  • Sand
  • Peat moss
  • Lukewarm water
  • 2 aquarium thermometers
  • Aquarium heater
  • 10-gallon tank
  • Drill with 1/4 inch drill bit
  • Plexiglas
  • Tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Collect the turtle eggs. Before moving them from their original location, gently mark the top of each egg with a felt-tip pen. When placing the eggs into your incubator, make sure the top of the egg is facing up to give the turtles the best chance of survival, since the turtle embryo attaches to the top of the egg shell. An upside-down egg can kill a developing embryo.

    • 2

      Fill the 5-gallon tank with a mixture of sand and peat moss, available in garden supply stores. This mixture both drains the water and holds moisture in the substrate.

    • 3

      Pour lukewarm water over the sand until the sand is saturated but not wet.

    • 4

      Place one of the thermometers into the center of the sand to a depth of 1 inch.

    • 5

      Set the aquarium heater to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and place it into the 10-gallon tank. Attach the second aquarium thermometer to the side of the 10-gallon tank, being careful not to place it directly next to the heater. This thermometer helps you monitor water temperatures and ensure that your heater is functioning correctly. If the thermometer is too close to the heater, you can get an inaccurate reading.

    • 6

      Place the 5-gallon tank into the 10-gallon tank.

    • 7

      Pour lukewarm water into the 10-gallon tank until the water line is about a half-inch above the sand line of the smaller tank. (Do not let the water from the 10-gallon tank flow into the 5-gallon tank). Turn on the heater.

    • 8

      Make a small indentation for each egg in the sand of the 5-gallon tank. Place the eggs into the indentations so that they are halfway buried.

    • 9

      Drill 5 6-and-1/4-inch holes into the center of a sheet of Plexiglas. Place the sheet over the tanks, securing it with tape.

    • 10

      Monitor the eggs for approximately 60 days. Replace moisture in either tank as needed, making sure not to pour water directly onto the eggs and always using lukewarm water. After 60 days begin watching your eggs for signs of hatching.