How exciting! I doubt that the dragons was only 8 months old, but then most of what you are told when you purchase a MHD is hype. I am glad you had the check-up for parasites done. That is the number one cause of death so you are off to a great start!



So, the babies, that is the hardest part of the whole business of keeping these guys. The eggs are abundant and the babies are so shy. It is great that they are drinking as that is a very good sign. When they will start eating is a difficult question to answer. If there is still yolk sac when they hatch they may not feed right away. Even if there isn't they might not. Some though will eat right off by the second or third day. If they don't eat for a week they will probably still do fine as long as you can stimulate the feeding instinct. I find that many seem to be frightened by the crickes at first so I don't offer them as a first food unless I pinch off the back legs first. I usually start off with 1/2" mealworms. Unless you raise them yourself or know someone who does they may be hard to find. You can order small quantities pretty reasonably from reptilefood.com and they are usually there second day. Another good first food is silkworms. Again, 1/2" seem to be perfect.



You stated that what you have are pinhead crickets and they are really too small for the babies. Even though the hatchlings are tiny they seem to prefer food that is 1/4" to 1/2" in size. See if you local pet store has 1/4" crickets and pinch off the jumping legs and see if they will take them. If they do then raise up the pinheads to an appropriate size and you'll be ready for when the other 5 eggs hatch!



Congratulations and good luck. Keep posting!
-----
Marcia - FroggieB Dragons

www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html



groups.yahoo.com/group/agamid/join

(click the link to join the agamid group on yahoo)

[ Show Entire Thread ]