Snake Eggs vs Lizard Eggs – Explore The Difference Here

Identification of snake eggs and lizard eggs

The differences between snake and lizard eggs can be subtle because both are reptilian eggs. Their similarities make it difficult to tell them apart, especially if you’ve never handled reptile eggs. But how can you tell the difference between a lizard egg and a snake egg?

If you compare these eggs up close, you’ll notice some key differences in their appearance, texture, and incubation time.

What does a snake egg look like?

Snake eggs can be one to five inches long. They can be oblong or oval, grouped in a bunch. Snake eggs are usually white or beige, but some may have shades of white. If you touch a snake egg, it will feel soft, leathery, and pliable.

What does a lizard egg look like?

Lizard eggs are small, measuring about 1-3 inches long. Like snake eggs, lizard eggs are oval, but some can be round, depending on the species.

These eggs are also white, but some can be colored. Depending on the species, lizard eggs can be soft, leathery, or hard to the touch.

Snake Eggs vs Lizard Eggs: Key Differences

If you are a beginner, you can identify these reptile eggs by comparing their size, color, shape, texture, and incubation time. Let’s look at how the two compare in detail.

To measure

Whether or not you’ve handled reptile eggs before, you can differentiate snake eggs from lizard eggs by looking at their size.

Generally, snakes lay larger eggs than lizards. Snake eggs are 1-5 inches long, depending on the snake species. Most snakes lay between 10 and 30 eggs, but some larger snake species, such as African rock pythons, can sometimes lay more than 100 eggs. You will find snake eggs piled up in a nest.

On the other hand, the size of lizard eggs is 1-3 centimeters long. Crested and leopard geckos are some of the lizards that lay small eggs. Their eggs are about 1.27 centimeters long. Species such as the Argentine tegu lay eggs about 3 inches long. Lizards lay a batch containing 6 to 85 smaller eggs.

Explore more: Do Snake Eat Fish?

Form

If you examine snake eggs, you’ll realize that most are oblong in shape, but some species can lay oval-shaped eggs. The eggs of most South and North American snake species are oval and look like bird eggs. Other snakes in parts of Africa and Asia lay irregular eggs resembling ginger roots.

Lizard eggs can also be oblong in shape, just like snake eggs. Their eggs can have different shapes depending on the species. Lizards, like geckos, lay eggs that are round in shape, although some may be oblong. Eggs of other lizards, such as the green crested lizardsthey have narrow ends.

Because lizard eggs can come in many shapes, you can contact a reptile expert or local wildlife sanctuary to help you identify them.

Color

Another way to tell if you’re dealing with snake or lizard eggs is to look at their colors. Luckily, snake eggs are easy to identify because they can be white, beige, or take on shades of white. Unlike lizards, snakes do not lay speckled or colored eggs.

If you come across a colored egg, it’s not that the embryo has that color. If a snake’s egg is green, blue, brown, or dark yellow, the embryo is likely dead and decaying.

Most lizard eggs are white, but some can be colored or spotted, such as leopard gecko eggs. Common gecko the eggs are chalky white and you can see the embryo when held under the light.

You may encounter light green or brown lizard eggs from species such as the green anole. These eggs have pinkish veins that are easily visible when the lizard is about to hatch. Lizard eggs that turn yellow indicate a dead embryo.

Structure

The texture of a reptile eggshell ensures that the baby comes out easily. As cold-blooded creatures, snakes and lizards do not need to incubate their soft-shelled eggs. If you touch the eggs of these two reptiles, you will find them soft, pliable and leathery.

Snake eggshells have semipermeable membranes. This membrane helps the egg absorb water from the environment.

While most lizard eggs feature a soft, leathery shell, some can be hard to the touch. Sometimes, newly laid lizard eggs are soft but harden over time. Gecko eggs are initially soft but harden after a few days.

The lizard’s environment can help tell if its egg is soft or hard. Most lizards in drier climates lay hard-shelled eggs to keep them from losing water and drying out.

Incubation time

If you let reptile eggs sit untouched in your garden, you may want to keep an eye on them and see when they hatch. Lizard eggs will hatch earlier than snake eggs.

When a snake lays eggs, they stay in the nest and hatch within 45 to 70 days. In contrast, lizard eggs take about 40-60 days to hatch.

The incubation period varies depending on the species of snake or lizard. For example, leopard gecko eggs can sometimes take around 35 days to hatch.

In most cases, humidity and temperature levels affect the incubation time of reptile eggs. Placing these eggs at an ideal temperature and humidity can shorten the incubation time. Be sure to set the temperature to around 80°F (26.67°C) when incubating lizard and snake eggs.

How to take care of snake and lizard eggs

After comparing snake eggs to lizard eggs, it’s time to learn how to care for them.

Instead of leaving those reptile eggs in the garden to hatch on their own, you can take them home and hatch them. You first want to research the incubation requirements of the specific eggs you are dealing with. You aim to mimic the natural nests where those eggs hatch in the wild.

Search for a reptile incubator it’s a egg box to recreate the nest. If you are incubating snake eggs, create a nest in the bottom of the box using a moisture retaining substrate. Place the eggs on the substrate and place the box in the incubator. Set the temperature to around 80°F and make sure there is enough ventilation.

Unlike snake eggs that hatch, you’ll need to be extra careful when recreating the nest for lizard eggs. You will need a smaller box and substrate that is ideal for lizard species. Research to know the appropriate substrate, humidity and temperature level. Also, make sure there is sufficient ventilation to allow for heat and oxygen exchange.

Here are some tips to consider when hatching snake or lizard eggs in an incubator:

• Avoid turning the eggs: Unlike bird eggs, you should not rotate snake or lizard eggs as this may damage the egg. If you’re moving reptile eggs from the garden, place them on the nest in the same location you found them.

• Use a hygrometer to measure the humidity of the nest: Measuring the humidity ensures that it does not fall below or above the ideal range. When incubating snake eggs, make sure the humidity is between 75 and 85%. For lizard eggs, make sure the humidity level is within the range of 60-90%. If you are unsure, consult a reptile expert about the ideal humidity level for lizard eggs to hatch.

• Keep the incubator in a constant-temperature room: If a room experiences sudden changes in temperature, it could disrupt the ideal temperature of hatching reptile eggs. A thermostat it can come in handy if you want to keep temperatures constant.

Can you eat snake and lizard eggs?

Eating reptile eggs, especially snake and lizard eggs, sounds weird and wrong. So, is it safe to eat snake and lizard eggs?

Reptile eggs pose no danger to humans. However, it would be best to cook them properly to avoid stomach upset. Whether it’s a venomous or non-venomous snake egg, you just have to prepare it as you would a chicken egg.

If you consume partially cooked snake eggs, you are likely suffering from gastrointestinal upset. You should also make sure your reptile eggs are fresh. Their embryos start developing faster and eating them can be unpalatable.

Snake roe is a rich source of protein and some people consider it delicious. However, most newbies may not like the taste and flavors of these eggs. Snake eggs taste like fish, not like the chicken eggs we’re used to.

Like snake eggs, you should cook lizard eggs thoroughly to make them edible and taste better. These eggs are small and will take some time to prepare. Breaking them can be a little tricky due to their tough shells. And since you have to crack several eggs to make breakfast, making lizard eggs can be arduous and time-consuming.

These eggs offer plenty of protein and fat if you cook them. Lizard eggs are also a good source of vitamins, carotenoids and inorganic ions.

Read more: Do snakes have tails

Final thoughts

In conclusion, the captivating realm of reptilian reproduction has unfolded before us, revealing the intriguing distinctions between snake eggs and lizard eggs. From the secretive underground chambers where snakes lay their leathery, amniotic wonders to the exposed nests carefully crafted by diligent lizard mothers, the diversity of incubation strategies is truly awe-inspiring. As we reflect on this journey of discovery, we are reminded of the remarkable adaptations and survival mechanisms that have evolved over millions of years, shaping the destiny of these ancient creatures.

If you find yourself enchanted by the secrets of reptilian reproduction and yearn to delve deeper into the fascinating world of venomous snakes and other captivating creatures, I invite you to explore the rich knowledge awaiting you on the Venomous Snake blog. Unlock the mysteries of venom, unravel the complexities of their behavior, and gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate web of life that surrounds us.

So, let your curiosity guide you, and embark on a new adventure of knowledge. Visit the Venomous Snake blog to satiate your thirst for discovery and delve into the captivating wonders that await in the realm of reptilian reproduction.