Incubation Substrates

Get the best yield out of your clutch

If you are breeding reptiles, such as Leopard geckos, you are going to need to take extra special care of their eggs to ensure good development and maximise egg clutch yield, and a big part of that is having the right incubation and nesting substrate. While a multi-purpose rainforest or desert substrate is fine for the rest of your reptile's habitat, you may want to consider one of our own brand or Lucky Reptile specialised incubator or nesting substrate to encourage nesting or to keep eggs safe.

What are incubation substrates?

Incubation substrates support the healthy development of eggs into high yielding clutches. Vermiculite or hatchrite substrates are great for increasing humidity without soaking the eggs since they retain a lot of moisture.

Why should I buy incubation substrates?

As a natural substrate, incubator substrates are made from exfoliated volcanic rock. They are inert and will not decay or mold. Reptile eggs will hatch successfully in this specially formulated breeding substrate as it contains the right level of humidity. As it’s generally best to keep the incubation medium damp, adding water to this substrate will be beneficial.

What are the main types of incubation substrates?

Nesting substrates are substrates that are best used in your reptile's hide, either giving them a feeling of extra safety and comfort or helping the shedding process that usually occurs in the privacy of their hide due to their slightly increased vulnerability at this time. It can really help your reptile feel comfortable in their home and may help with egg-laying and with a bad shedding. Having a good incubator substrate may well make all the difference when taking care of your reptile eggs. Not only does incubator substrate tend to encourage reptiles to lay, containing a level of moisture that the reptile can sense and will moisturise the eggs, but it can be used in an incubator itself to keep the eggs safer, allowing them to develop and hatch more easily.