If you are planning on breeding crested geckos, you should develop a proper understanding of incubating crested gecko eggs.
Incubation is an important step in ensuring that the hatchlings that you get are safe, healthy, and sound.
Choosing An Incubator For Your Crested Gecko Eggs
When looking for a good incubator, look out for one or more of the following characteristics:
- Reduces temperature fluctuations.
- Is well insulated.
- Fits within your budget.
- Comes in a sturdy container.
- Is compatible with thermostats.
- Has sufficient space for all the eggs.
- Has a transparent lid to allow for monitoring without handling the eggs too often.
- Maintains a consistent level of humidity.
- Is compact and easy to store.
- If it comes with its own electronics, ensure that the components do not overheat or underheat the eggs.
Crested Gecko Egg Development
A healthy female crested gecko will lay 2 eggs every 30 to 45 days. The stages of a crested gecko’s egg development are listed below.
Inside the belly of the mother.
The very first stage of development of a crested gecko egg starts in the belly of the gravid female.
The care of the eggs starts from there. You must ensure that the female crested gecko gets proper diet and care.
The health of the mother will have a direct impact on the health of the eggs.
Initial days outside of the belly.
These are when the eggs will be small in size. Be sure to mark the eggs to not roll them upside down.
This will help prevent the fetus from drowning in its own amniotic fluids.
Growing phase of the eggs.
As the fetus develops, the eggs will change shape. Even the color of the eggs may gradually change and become darker.
Close to hatching.
This is when you may notice the eggs becoming dark grey in color.
The eggs may also start “sweating” – this is the condensation that forms on top of the incubation box.
How To Incubate Crested Gecko Eggs
Parameters such as time, temperature, humidity, and substrate play an important role in incubating crested gecko eggs in a safe way.
Time
Crested gecko eggs stored at room temperature will hatch in 60 to 70 days during the warmer seasons.
During the colder seasons, the eggs might take up to 120 days to hatch.
Temperature
Much like your pet crested gecko, its eggs much also be stored at ambient room temperature.
Let the incubator be in the range of 72 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer temperatures may lead to faster hatching but can cause reduced robustness of the crested gecko eggs.
Humidity
Maintain the container’s humidity at 60% and mist it on a regular basis. A balance of humidity and ventilation is required.
While too much humidity promotes fungal development and mildew, too much ventilation may cause the crested gecko eggs to dry up.
Both of these extremes are harmful to your crested gecko eggs.
An excellent technique to keep the balance is to let the cage dry up to 75%, then spritz it to bring the humidity level down to 60%.
Substrate
When breeding crested geckos, ensure the substrate is conducive to egg laying.
If this does not occur, the female may choose not to deposit eggs and instead reabsorb them.
Substrates that hold moisture without waterlogging, provide a burrowing surface, and are simple to clean and maintain are ideal.
How To Incubate Crested Gecko Eggs Without An Incubator
Crested gecko eggs do not always require the use of an incubator. Incubate the eggs at room temperature on a basic tray with a decent incubation medium.
Crested gecko eggs stored at room temperature will hatch in 60 to 70 days during the warmer seasons.
During the colder seasons, the eggs might take up to 120 days to hatch.
Even if you utilize an incubator, keep in mind that warming the environment will result in a less robust crested gecko hatchling.
Even with an incubator, keep the temperature between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Accessories To Successfully Incubate Crested Gecko Eggs
Accessories that you need to successfully incubate crested gecko eggs include:
Incubation medium.
There are several media on the market. Repashy Superhatch and vermiculite are still two of the most popular nowadays.
Superhatch is a calcined clay media with a high porosity for water retention.
These medium changes color depending on the amount of water present and may be reused if boiled.
Vermiculite is a traditional incubation medium that is said to suppress mold and fungus development.
Thermostat.
A thermostat is needed to measure and maintain the temperature level of the incubator between the ambient range of 72 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hygrometer.
A hygrometer will help you monitor and maintain the humidity levels of the incubator at 60% consistently.
Container.
The container is what will hold the incubation medium and the eggs.
It is pertinent that the container is sturdy, well-insulated, and prevents fluctuations of humidity and temperature inside.
Preferably, the container should have a transparent lid that allows monitoring without disturbing the eggs.
Signs Of A Dead Crested Gecko Eggs
The most reliable indication of a dead crested gecko egg is if it begins to stink. If the egg has turned moldy and has begun to emit a foul stench, it is most certainly dead.
The candling method is another approach to determining whether or not a crested gecko egg is dead.
In this procedure, you must carefully shine a strong light upon the egg to examine if there is a crimson substance inside and veins flowing through it.
If you can see these signs, the egg is viable and living. If there are no veins flowing through the egg, it is most likely dead.
Candling Crested Gecko Eggs
Candling crested gecko eggs is a procedure in which you shine a strong light upon the translucent egg and try to observe the contents of the egg.
If you can see crimson material with veins, your crested gecko egg is healthy and has a fetus inside.
If you don’t see any such thing, then chances are that the egg is either infertile or the fetus has died.
The candling approach carries the danger of drowning the fetus and killing it accidentally. If not done properly, the candling process can be counterproductive.
If you move or roll the egg much, you risk drowning the fetus in its own amniotic fluids.
As a result, only use the candling procedure if a particular crested gecko egg stinks. Otherwise, let the egg alone in the incubator.
How Many Eggs Do Crested Geckos Lay?
A gravid crested gecko will lay 2 eggs about 30 to 45 days after mating.
Even when she hasn’t had a mate, a female crested gecko will still regularly lay a clutch of 2 eggs every 30 to 45 days once she attains maturity.
Summary
Incubating crested gecko eggs is an important step for a crested gecko breeder.
When you are starting out, it may feel overwhelming. But incubating crested gecko eggs only needs some accessories and a little preparation from your end.
