How Long Does It Take for Lizard Eggs to Hatch?

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Depending on the species, it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months for a lizard egg to hatch. For pet lizards, such as Anoles, eggs should hatch at around the 4 to 6 week mark, whereas the eggs of larger, wild lizards, such as Komodo Dragons, can take 7 to 8 months to hatch.

The environment is also sometimes a deciding factor for when a lizard’s eggs are going to hatch. For example, lizards known as delicate skinks have developed a survival mechanism that causes their young to hatch from their eggs prematurely. Normally, skinks’ eggs need to incubate for 4 to 8 weeks before they can hatch. However, if the young lizards inside of the eggs begin to feel vibrations that suggest the approach of a predator, they will prematurely hatch in order to escape the predator. Though this may not be a typical characteristic of all lizards, this example does underscore the point that eggs should not be moved unnecessarily when attempting to breed lizards in captivity.

During the first 3 to 4 days, a lizard egg will “set,” meaning the contents of the eggs will settle to the bottom of the egg. Once this occurs, the egg should not be turned or moved unnecessarily, as this may harm the embryo. Also, if the eggs are laid in bunches, they may have a tendency to stick together. If this occurs, the eggs shouldn’t be forced apart — this may crack or rupture the shell.