One of my female pet turtles recently laid some eggs and I decided to take care of them until the baby turtles hatch. The only problem was that I had no idea how to do it so I did some research and gathered all the information that I needed. In this article, I am going to share the results of my research with you.
The most important thing you need when taking care of turtle eggs is an incubator, without it the eggs can get spoiled by the temperature. And just as important is to handle the eggs with a lot of care, as they can break very easily, and if you place them upside down, the baby turtles won’t hatch.
For the incubator you have two options, you can either buy one, or make one yourself. If you have some money to spare, you can buy one. I will give you some recommendations later in the article. But if you don’t, you can always make one. And I will tell you how to build one step by step.
How to Make a Turtle Egg Incubator
A DIY incubator has two parts, a container, and a box that will regulate the temperature.
Building the Eggs Containers
Building the egg containers is very easy. You just need a disposable plastic container, and some soil mix to use as a substrate.
You can use any kind of plastic container that you have at your disposal, the only requirement is that it should have a lid. For this article, I used a disposable food container that I had laying around.
After you find the right containers make sure that you put some holes in the top so that air can circulate.
After you are done preparing the containers is time to make a mix in which you will put the eggs.
There are a lot of different things that you can use, vermiculite, peat moss, sphagnum moss, dirt, paper towels, etc. The main requirement is that it should be able to absorb water and keep the interior moist. Since I didn’t have anything else nearby I’ve chosen to use plain dirt from my backyard, which I’ve mixed with some water.
But if you have some kind of moss at your disposal or even some wood chips you can mix them with the dirt.
After you are done choosing and gathering the ingredients for the mix, put them in a big bucket or a big bowl and add water. The resulting mix should be wet, but not so wet that water is dripping out of it.
Now put the mix in the container and use your fingers to make a few shallow holes in which you will place the eggs, just like in the picture below.
And this is it for the container, now it’s time to move to the incubator box.
Building the Incubator Box
To build your own incubator you will need:
- A styrofoam cooler
- A water heater
- A piece of mesh
- Glue
- A solid piece of plastic or a cinder block
- A water thermometer
Step 1
Start by tracing a circle on the side of the styrofoam cooler. After you are done tracing the circle you will have to cut it out to put the water heater through there, so make sure that the circle is big enough and that it’s near the top of the cooler.
Step 2
Cut the circle out and put the heater through the hole, while leaving the plug outside of the box.
Step 3
Glue the piece of mesh over the hole. You don’t want anything entering the incubator, that shouldn’t be there. Make sure that you don’t glue the mesh to the cable because depending on the place you are going to put it you might have to move the cable a little.
Step 4
Place a solid piece of plastic, a cinder block, or whatever you have at your disposal, in the styrofoam cooler. The role of this object is to support the egg containers and to keep them above the water.
Step 5
Add water to the styrofoam cooler. The water level shouldn’t be higher than the piece of plastic that you’ve just added.
Step 6
Place the thermometer in the water. Ideally, you will use a thermometer that can stay in the water and constantly check the temperature, but if you have a kitchen water thermometer you can skip this step, just make sure to constantly check the temperature over time until you are sure it’s stable.
Step 7
Congratulations! The incubator is finished at this point all you have to do now is to place the containers with the eggs inside.
Observations
You don’t have to buy a new styrofoam cooler or a new water heater for this, you can use old ones as long as you clean them before.
Even if the styrofoam cooler doesn’t have to be new it still has to work in perfect condition, otherwise, water might leak out, or the humidity might get out of the box.
The water heater should have a controller that allows you to control the temperature, otherwise, the eggs might be damaged by the high or low temperature.
Regardless of the object that you chose to support the egg containers, make sure you sterilize it first. During the incubation process, the eggs are going to get very soft and the impurities from the air will harm the turtles.
A homemade incubator can offer the same results as a bought one, but it will require more effort on your part, firstly because you will have to build it, secondly because you will have to occasionally check if everything works alright. Sometimes homemade stuff tends to not be very reliable, especially if it contains multiple parts.
If you are sure that you can properly build this incubator then you should do it, but if you don’t feel so confident in your skills, or you just don’t want to risk it, then there is another option available for you.
Buying an Incubator
If you are not sure that you can build a proper incubator by yourself then I would strongly suggest that you buy one. Turtle eggs are very fragile, and as they get closer to hatching they will become even more fragile, so you want to make sure that they have the best conditions.
From the information that I gathered, I’ve found that the Zoo Med ReptiBator Digital Reptile Egg Incubator, is one of the best incubators for turtle eggs. You will need to make a couple of adjustments to it to make it work perfectly, but those are very easy to do. Some people have said that the temperature reading is not completely accurate, to solve this you will have to move the thermometer further away from the heat source. The thermometer is placed very close to the heat source so it will show a temperature that is a little higher than that of the entire incubator. Moving it further away should solve this problem.
This incubator has some great features that most DIY incubators don’t have. One of the most important features is that it has an easily adjustable, and exact temperature control. Eggs can be very sensitive to temperature and five degrees can make the difference between a rotten egg and a healthy egg. This incubator also has humidity control and display. Humidity is also one of the most important aspects of a turtle egg incubator, and being able to easily and precisely adjust it is a great benefit. And one of my favorite features is the transparent top, I know it doesn’t seem as much, but being able to see how the eggs are doing without having to touch, or interact with them too much is a great thing since they are very fragile and a little too much pressure on them can break them.
Even if you have to make a little adjustment to the incubator the quality is great for the price that you are paying. There are other incubators in this price range, but most of them don’t seem to be as good as this one and they don’t offer as many features. If you want to check its other features and the price here is a link to Amazon.
Handling the Turtle Eggs
As I’ve mentioned eggs can be very fragile and they have to be handled with care.
One of the most crucial parts of the process is when you find an egg and take it out of the ground. Turtle embryos attach themselves to the top of the egg when they start developing, and turning the egg upside down will hurt the embryo and no hatchling will come out. So before touching and moving the egg in any way you want to take a marker and gently put a mark on the top of the egg. When you put the egg in the container make sure that the top of the egg is always up.
If you buy the eggs from somebody else make sure that the top is marked, otherwise, most of them won’t produce any hatchlings.
Now it’s time to bury the eggs in the mix that you prepared earlier. The eggs shouldn’t be completely buried, you should leave about one-third of the egg exposed to air. Doing so will allow you to observe the eggs while they are in the incubator, doing so will also allow them to be more easily humidified.
After you are done placing the eggs in the containers it’s time to say goodbye to them because you won’t be interacting with them too much for the next couple of months. When you are done place the eggs in the incubator.
Taking Care of the Turtle Eggs
The eggs should hatch in about 50 days, give or take 2 days. During this time you will have to take care of them.
You won’t have to check on them daily, once or twice a week should be just fine. You should check to see if the eggs get moldy or if they are deteriorating in any way. If you find mold on the eggs you can easily get rid of it by wiping the eggs gently.
Never pick up the turtle eggs after placing them in the incubator. Turtle eggs are fragile from the start, but as they get further into the developing process, the embryos will start absorbing nutrients from the eggshell and as a result, the eggs will become thinner and a lot more fragile, just trying to pick them up can easily break them.
The gender of a turtle is determined by the amount of heat that they were exposed to when they were in the eggs. A higher temperature means that more females will be born, if the temperature is lower then more males will be born. If you want to get as close as possible to an equal number of males and females, then you should make sure that the temperature is around 84 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius).
If the temperature goes higher than 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius), the eggs will spoil. So be careful not to go over, or too close to that temperature.
You don’t have to do too much to take care of the eggs while they are in the incubator. If the incubator works fine then it should have all the required humidity and the right temperature.
When the Turtle Eggs Start to Hatch
After about 45 days some cracks might start appearing in the eggs, this is a good sign and it means that the baby turtles are about to hatch. It’s not a general rule that after 45 days this should happen, some turtles might be more energetic and do this a couple of days earlier, and other turtles might be a little lazier and want to take their time with this. It is also possible for the egg to crack a lot but no baby turtle comes out. Even if they manage to completely crack the egg, some turtles will spend an extra couple of days absorbing the remaining yolk from the egg.
After the first egg starts to crack, you should expect the other eggs to start following soon. Baby turtles are very synchronized when it comes to hatching.
When one of the eggs starts to crack you should prepare a container and fill it with paper towels, and have some water close by, you will need them after the eggs hatch.
After the Turtle Eggs Hatch
As soon as you see that one of the baby turtles gets out of the egg, you should put some water in the container with the paper towels in it, the water shouldn’t be overflowing, just enough to get the towels wet. After that, you should pick up the baby turtle and put it in that container. This is where it will spend the next few days until the yolk sack is completely absorbed ( you can see the yolk sack if you look under the turtle ). The baby turtle should be handled with extreme care, even if they are no longer in the fragile egg and they have a shell around them, they are still very vulnerable.
After you place the turtle in the container, remove the remains of the egg from the incubator.
Now you have to wait until all the eggs hatch and then place them in the container with the wet towels.
Some eggs might take longer to hatch, but if a week pass after most of the eggs hatched, and one of the remaining ones doesn’t give any sign, it might mean that it went bad. It’s up to you to decide how much time you want to wait, but in general one extra week should be enough.
The turtles that still have the yolk sack attached to them shouldn’t need any food since they get all the nutrients from the sack. But if you want you can give them a couple of pellets, it won’t do any harm, but it’s not necessary to give them any food since they are getting all the required nutrients from the yolk.
After all the turtles completely absorb the remaining yolk sack ( you can check that by looking underneath them ), you can move them to another container that contains more water. Moving them to a big aquarium isn’t the best idea because they still need some time to develop, and until they do some they won’t be the best swimmers. So make sure that the new container isn’t completely filled with water. The turtles should be able to easily keep their heads above the water, and they should also be able to spend time on land.
After some time you should be able to put the baby turtles in a full-size tank. The amount of time you will have to wait will vary from species to species. But it’s easy to tell just by observing the behavior of the baby turtles. When you see them spending more and more time in the water, and they are not trying to keep their heads above it, it’s probably time to put them in a full-sized tank.
Related Questions
Can turtle eggs hatch in water? No, even if the egg is fertile. If a turtle egg is kept underwater for extended periods of time it won’t hatch and no baby turtle will come out of it no matter what you do afterward.
Is it safe to move turtle eggs that you find in the wild? Don’t touch turtle eggs that you find in the wild! Most turtle eggs that are in the wild are protected by law, so even if you want to move them to a safer place you shouldn’t do it. It can cause you a lot of problems, even if your intentions were good. If the eggs are laid by a pet turtle then you should be able to move and touch them without any problem if the owner it’s ok with that. And if the eggs are laid by the turtle in your yard, or anywhere on your property then you should also be ok if you move them.
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Recently I found that my red eared slider’s eggs hatched. I found five babies which I put into an aquarium with a lot of soil and a little water. The babies immediately burrowed beneath the soil where I have left them. My question is how do I care for them? Will the come from under the soil on their own? My female has lays another clutch of eggs so will be getting more babies soon. I need to become an expert fast! Thank you.
Congratulations on the hatching of your red-eared slider eggs! Caring for baby turtles can be an exciting but challenging experience. Here are some guidelines on how to care for the hatchlings and what to expect:
Nesting Environment: It’s great that you’ve provided a setup with soil and water. Ensure that the environment is kept clean, and maintain proper temperature and humidity levels.
Burrowing Behavior: Baby turtles often bury themselves shortly after hatching. This is a natural behavior that offers them protection. They should emerge on their own when they’re ready, typically within a few days to a few weeks, depending on the species and environmental conditions.
Feeding: When the baby turtles emerge, they will need to be offered suitable food. They typically start with a diet of aquatic invertebrates and small aquatic plants. Commercial turtle pellets can also be used but may need to be soaked to make them easier for the babies to eat.
Basking Area: Once they are active and feeding, you should provide a basking area with a heat source and UVB lighting. This is essential for their overall health and development.
Clean Water: Ensure the water in their enclosure is clean and shallow enough for them to safely access.
Care for New Clutches: As you mentioned, your female has laid another clutch of eggs. Continue to care for the new clutch as you did with the first one.
Expert Advice: Consider reaching out to a reptile specialist or veterinarian experienced in turtle care. They can offer guidance on the specific needs of your turtle species and help ensure that you’re providing the best care possible.
Keep monitoring the babies and their environment, and be patient. Turtles are resilient, and with proper care and patience, they can thrive. Your willingness to learn and provide the best care for your turtles is commendable. Good luck with your growing turtle family!
Thanks for your advice…I know it will be helpful.
You’re very welcome! I’m glad to hear that you found the advice helpful. If you have any more questions or need further assistance in the future, whether it’s about turtles or any other topic, feel free to reach out. Your care for these turtles is greatly appreciated, and I’m here to help whenever you need it. Best of luck with the hatchlings and their safe journey to the water!
We have two areas in our yard where we witnessed a turtle laying eggs. We did not disturb either nest but I needed to have a tree brought down and some tree trims which meant a large machine had to go over each nest. I waited over a week then knowing it was time for hatching and finally decided to check the eggs by carefully digging around one nest. Found a broken egg empty, a broken egg with embryo still seeming to be alive inside it, and a hatched turtle [ red eared slider ] that was completely pale green.
I felt the pale green turtle was going to continue to need the egg yolk still present so I gently covered everything. If we do not see the turtles actually come out of the ground how will we know they finally did?
It’s wonderful that you’re taking care not to disturb the nests and trying to ensure the well-being of the hatchlings. If you want to know if the turtles have emerged from the nest without disturbing them, you can try these methods:
Observation: Keep a close eye on the nest site, especially during the time when you expect the hatchlings to emerge. Turtles often emerge at night, so you may need to do some late-night monitoring. Look for any signs of small turtles near the nest.
Morning Check: Check the nest site early in the morning, as hatchlings that have recently emerged may be more active at this time.
Look for Tracks: Turtles may leave tracks or indentations in the soil as they crawl away from the nest. These tracks can be an indicator that hatchlings have emerged.
Keep Your Distance: While it’s essential to observe, it’s crucial to do so from a distance and avoid direct contact with the hatchlings. Turtles are often disoriented after emerging, and they need time to find their way to water.
Provide a Path: If the nest site is located far from water, consider creating a clear path to the nearest water source to make it easier for the hatchlings to reach safety.
Hatchlings are typically well-equipped to fend for themselves after emerging from the nest, but they can benefit from a safe and clear path to a nearby water source. Continue your careful observation and provide any necessary assistance while minimizing disturbances to the hatchlings.
I HAVE FOUND A TURTLE IN MY YARD. THE SHELL IS ABOUT 1 AND 1/2 INCHES LONG. IT IS A BABY.
WHAT DO I DO TO SAVE IT? IS THERE A PLACE TO FOR RESCUE? I have a picture.
Can I send the picture to you?
Sure.
I have nine turtle eggs in a Hovabator at present. The first was laid June 17th. It is now July 11th, When will the egg size start to increase or will it. I’m concerned that the egg is not growing. Im sure they are fertile, as one broke and blood came out of it. I have 2 female turtles and one male, and the male definitely did his job. Will the eggs get any larger before they hatch???
Turtle egg size typically doesn’t change significantly during the incubation period. Once the eggs are laid, they remain relatively stable in size, and their development occurs within the eggshell. While the embryo grows inside the egg, the size of the eggshell doesn’t undergo noticeable expansion.
The duration of the incubation period varies depending on the species of turtle and environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity. It’s essential to maintain the appropriate conditions in the incubator to ensure the healthy development of the embryos. Be patient and monitor the eggs for signs of hatching.
If you believe the eggs are fertile and the incubation conditions are suitable, you should continue to care for them and monitor their progress. When the time is right, the baby turtles will hatch from their eggs. The exact timing of hatching will depend on the specific species and incubation conditions. It’s essential to maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels during this period to support the development of the embryos.
If you have concerns about the progress of the eggs or if you believe they are overdue for hatching based on typical incubation periods for your turtle species, you may want to consult a reptile specialist or veterinarian with experience in turtle breeding for guidance and advice.