Incubator or no Incubator? That is the question...

[themallacht]

Hi, my name is Tyler and I'm getting more and more into chams and I've been working on setting up a little breeding project.... The only thing I'm kind of stuck right now on is what incubator to buy (if ANY), substrate to use in it, etc.... Everything else I've been able to find info on here for, but no one really seems to recommend incubators.

So what incubator to use?
Substrate and how to place them if I do use one?

Thanks,

Tyler

 

[kinyonga]

You only need an incubator if there is no place in your house that can maintain the temperatures needed to allow the eggs to hatch. The temperature can fluctuate a couple of degrees during the day/night...but need to be in the right range to allow them to incubate/hatch. (IMHO, it needs to be a dark spot.)

For over 15 years, I have used a people's heating pad that will cycle on and off but maintain the temperature. Over it I place a wood and screen frame that the containers of eggs can be set on. (I have hatched a variety of chameleon, gecko, conehead, waterdragon, turtle, etc. eggs using this method.)

I use shoebox sized plastic containers with lids to incubate the eggs in. I punch two very tiny holes in the lids. I fill the containers about half full of slightly moist coarse vermiculite and lay the eggs in rows about 1" apart in all directions in dents that I make with my thumb. To test the vermiculite for appropriate moisture level....take a fist full of it and if you can only squeeze a drop or two of water out, then it should be right. I only fill the container half full so that there is "head room" for the hatchlings when they come out of the eggs. I separate the eggs by 1" because it makes them hatch more individually instead of all at once.

Hope this helps!

 

[Dean Pulcini]

I agree it all depends on where you live. I live in N.Y. and I need one during the winter months.