throughout the incubation period if needed.
Using your thumb, make small indentations in the
incubation medium, in which to place the eggs.
These should be half-covered by the medium, with
the top halves being exposed to the air inside the
incubation tub. Before resting the eggs in the
medium, they must be candled to ensure they are
facing the correct way up. Using a small torch (the
light on your phone works a treat!), shine the light
beneath each egg to reveal a red/pink patch or
circle on one side. The red patch is where the
embryo will develop from and it is important that this
side faces upwards and is exposed to the air, while
the white side of the egg faces downwards in the
incubation medium.
Line the eggs up in neat rows, with small gaps in
between to ensure that viable eggs are not
damaged if a neighbouring one becomes mouldy.
Once all the eggs have been candled and posi-
tioned, the incubation tub must be sealed with a
plastic lid equipped with small ventilation holes.
Alternatively, plastic cling wrap can be placed over
the tub and sealed tightly with an elastic band
around the sides.
The egg tub must then be placed inside an incuba-
tor controlled by an accurate thermostat. Small
incubators with temperature control and humidity
readings can be purchased from specialist reptile
stores at reasonable prices. Bearded dragon eggs
should be incubated at approxi mately 31 degrees
Celsius, with 70-80% humidity. Dragon eggs are
fairly forgiving and will develop at a temperature
range of 28-33 degrees. However, at 31 degrees a
relatively even mix of males and females will be
produced, whereas temperatures of 32 degrees or
higher are likely to result in
mostly females.
Eggs must be monitored
closely during incubation to
ensure they are developing
well. If humidity is too low
the eggs may shrivel, but
any condensation or
excessive moisture build
up on the eggs must be
promptly removed using a
tissue. The incubation tub
can be opened to allow
fresh air in one to two
times a week. Bearded
dragon eggs take between
50-70 days to hatch, with
higher temperatures result-
ing in faster development
of the embryos.
Hatchlings.
Newly emerged hatchlings
can be left in the incubator
for a few hours to rest and
gain some strength. They
can then be transferred to
a suitable enclosure, set
up in the same way their
parents are housed. This
means that they should be
provided with a hot bask-
ing spot of 35-40 degrees
Left: the moment you’ve
been waiting for! New
hatchlings can be left in
the incubator for a few
hours to gain strength.
Top right: after 6-8
weeks, they are ready to
go to their new homes.