Does anyone have successful ways they have incubated box turtle eggs at home WITHOUT an actual incubator?

Question

I own an thirteen year old ornate box turtle and an eighteen year old three toed box turtle, both females who have laid eggs. I had no idea they did when I got them but am now faced with the problem of hatching them. I do not have an incubator and am currently keeping them in a closed container and keeping them moist, they haven't been moved or rotated but i need further instruction as to further care for them.

Answer 1

Umm... If they're both female the eggs won't be fertile. Female turtles will occasionally lay infertile eggs, just dispose of them and make sure they are getting plenty of calcium in their diet to counteract and calcium loss from the egg production.

Answer 2

we have kept and raised box turtles for 25 yrs, we have never been successful in hatching the eggs ourselves so we learned to leave them alone, outside, the babies hatch everytime! I know my books say the temp needs to be 80-90 and they need to be kept real moist, you should never turn the eggs, why don't you try a heat lamp like for reptiles, surely that would keep them warm enough, are you sure your girls were exposed to males and will be fertile? sure would like to have a 3 toed - plan to get some more ornates in the near future. we have 23 babies hatch this year, would love to know if you hatch, email me if you want

Answer 3

Keep the room they are in a steady 76-80 degrees. Space heaters will do the trick. Moisture shouldn't exceed 75%.