Eggs are laid both during the day and at night. Both sexes take turns sitting or standing over the eggs, and both sexes have a single abdominal incubation patch. Incubation period varies with location and season. On average, the incubation season is 26-32 days. Small cracks appear up to 8 days before hatching.
Eggs can hatch at any time of the day or night.
Young birds are precocial after hatching. Snowy Plovers sleep with the bill and the front of the head tucked under their feathers. While sleeping, they will only stand on one leg, especially when the weather is cold. Periodically, they will close their eyes while sleeping. Both sexes actively defend their nest territories by posturing, chasing, or fighting.