Have you ever thought about breeding your pet lizards? I had a pair of green iguanas once and thought someday I would try breeding them. I also thought about breeding bearded dragons. So far, I haven’t gotten into breeding lizards but it makes me wonder. How long does it take for lizard eggs to hatch?
I did some research involving 11 popular pet lizard species and this is what I found.
The average time it takes for lizard eggs to hatch is 80 days. This depends on the species. For example, it takes an average of 60 days for leopard gecko eggs to hatch and much longer for veiled chameleons at around 180 days. It all depends on the kind of lizard you are breeding.
There are also other factors to consider. The temperature and humidity levels in the incubator can affect this time and eggs will either hatch a little sooner or a few days later. Leopard gecko eggs can hatch in as little as 35 days or just over 1 month and veiled chameleon eggs can take as long as 9 months!
That’s similar to humans! Though obviously humans don’t lay eggs…
Common Pet Lizards That Are Bred in Captivity
The lizards in my research include those that are most commonly kept as pets. Some are widely bred by your average pet lizard owner and hobbyists, while a few are bred mostly by professional breeders.
These include the following:
- Bearded Dragons
- Crested Geckos
- Gargoyle Geckos
- Leopard Geckos
- Green Iguanas
- Argentine Black and White Tegus
- Blue Tongued Skinks
- Asian Water Monitors
- Ornate Uromastyx
- Chinese Water Dragons
- Veiled Chameleons
The chart below shows the average number of eggs laid by each species (average clutch size) and the average number of days it takes for those eggs to hatch.
| Species | Average Clutch Size | Average Time to Hatch |
| Crested Gecko | 2 | 75 days |
| Gargoyle Gecko | 2 | 80 days |
| Blue Tongued Skink | 2 | 70 days |
| Chinese Water Dragon | 9 | 60 days |
| Leopard Gecko | 10 | 60 days |
| Ornate Uromastyx | 12 | 70 days |
| Asian Water Monitor | 15 | 60 days |
| Bearded Dragon | 20 | 65 days |
| Green Iguana | 30 | 105 days |
| Argentine Black and White Tegu | 30 | 60 days |
| Veiled Chameleon | 56 | 180 days |
The above numbers are averages. It can take less time for eggs to hatch and may take longer depending on the conditions.
Will the Eggs Hatch at All?
Most lizards do not raise there young. The majority deposit their eggs in a nice secluded spot where temperatures and humidity levels are stable, bury them and leave. Never to return. Talk about abandonment.
Predators can be a factor. In the wild, predators will pillage a nest of lizard eggs and eat them all for a nice meal.
In captivity the main factor contributing to the time it takes for lizard eggs to hatch and if they will hatch at all is the breeder.
The Human Factor
It can be fun and exciting to care for and hatch the offspring of your pet reptile! Maybe this is one reason the hobby is growing so fast.
Unlike a lizard who lays her eggs and leaves, breeders have the opportunity to take a parental role in this process. Breeders become the caring parents those little eggs have been missing.
This means that the various factors that play a role in giving lizard eggs a chance to hatch, and how long it takes them, are largely in your hands.
Just as temperatures and humidity determine how long it takes for lizard eggs to hatch, they also determine if the eggs will hatch at all. If these two factors are not in an appropriate range, the eggs will not make it.
These requirements will vary among species and it’s important to get them right. Fortunately, there are incubators made specifically for this purpose that are available commercially. It is also possible to build one yourself.
In captivity, the threat of predators is also eliminated; unless your cat is allowed to roam the house (and breeding/incubating room) free.
Once you have established a controlled environment and collected the eggs. All that’s left is to put them in the incubator, adjust to the appropriate settings and wait. There is actually a little more to it. You will want to check the incubator on a regular basis to make sure all is going well.
Though it may be impossible to predict exactly when those little eggs will hatch, it helps to have an idea. The chart above can give you a reference for average times but it’s a good idea to do some additional research on your specific lizard species.
The more you know the better you will be able to care for those eggs. You will be able to increase the percentage of eggs that hatch successfully as well as more accurately predict how long it takes.
Many Mouths to Feed
One last thing to keep in mind. Once your lizard eggs hatch whether that takes 35 days or 9 months you will soon have many little mouths to feed. If that is 2 or 22 or even 50 that certainly adds up and it’s important to be ready for that added responsibility.
Are you going to sell them? Do you have potential buyers? Are you going to keep them? Are you prepared for what that will mean in terms of care? Do you have the appropriately sized food items readily available?
Even if you do plan to sell them there is a good chance you won’t sell them all at once and you will need to care for all those little babies during that time. Whew, being a parent can be a lot of work. It can also be very rewarding!
I’m not sure if I will ever get into breeding lizards, but I have to say after writing this article, I’m thinking about it again. My daughter has been asking for a crested gecko. Maybe we’ll get a few and see if we can start our own little breeding project.
Related Questions
How many eggs do lizards lay?
The average clutch size for lizard eggs is 17. This depends on the species. The fewest eggs per clutch for lizards on our list are crested geckos and gargoyle geckos with 2 eggs per clutch. The highest are veiled chameleons at 56 and they can lay as many as 85.
Other factors that determine clutch size include the age, size, and health of the female. Larger more mature healthy females often lay more than the average.
What is the average temperature for hatching lizard eggs?
The average temperature for incubating lizard eggs is about 81 degrees. About 70 degrees for chameleons and as high as 92-93 degrees for uromastyx.
What is the average humidity for incubating lizard eggs?
The average humidity required for incubating most lizard eggs is about 75%. Humid but not wet. If eggs get too wet there is a good chance mold and fungus will grow and attack your eggs. In this case, the eggs will become infertile and not hatch.
Interesting Facts
- Some lizard species lay multiple clutches during the breeding season. Crested geckos, for example, will lay 2 eggs every 30 to 45 days.
- Incubation temperatures can also determine if baby lizards will be male or female.
- Some species of nearly hatched lizards are believed to be able to sense if predators are nearby. They will burst out of their eggs and take off running.