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Well, after determining the aggressive hatchlings, which there were five, then having the "runt" die, I have now found myself in the midst of a hatchling die off.
To date I have lost 9 of the origninal 24.
1 day they seem fine, look good, healthy, the next day (often in the morning) they are bloated and dead.
Very frustrated to the cause.
I have discontinued insects..posssible source of problems, ground up "dry" food, and now just offer the various greens.
I thought at first the separation of the aggressive hatchlings would stop the deaths, but even after a few days, I still wonder.
What an emotional roller coaster this year has been.
Hope all is better where you are.
Ed
Input?

I think it was a good idea to discontinue the dried items and the insects. If you are using any type of supplement, I would discontinue that as well. I have always been warned from other breeders that hatchlings do not do well with dried items and that the feeding of dried items at an early age can lead to a much higher rate of dehydration and impaction. I have never tested this theory to find out.

After the aggression I witnessed with my blacks, I immediately found myself running to surrounding cities to purchase every 40-breeder I could find. When hatchlings turn aggressive, they tend to go for the legs or sides. My biggest fear was that the side bites could pinch or lacerate the intestines and result in death. I am not saying this is what is taking place, but I would strongly suggest separating the rest of the hatchlings immediately. The likelihood of eight animals all dying from intestinal perforation or necrosis from pinching would be rather unlikely. Then again, I have not witnessed the extent of the aggression. I think that it would be very wise to separate them all regardless.

Oh Ed,
I am so sorry to hear of your problems. Not that I have ever had uro hatchlings, but I have read not to give hatchlings or fresh imports dry food or insects, as it could lead to impaction or dehydration. I know it is no comfort at this time, but hopefully with your changing their diet and housing them individually you can change things around. Best of luck to you and the little ones.

Pam
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1.1 varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Dorado & Dora)
1.1 u. macfadyeni (Amani & Abeba)
1.2 u. ornata (Husani, Zari, & Bintu)
1.1 u. maliensis (Njuru & Neo) Doug Dix
0.0.1 u. aegypticus (Halima)
0.1 pogona vitticeps (Sunni)
1.1 hyla chrysoscelis (Pudge & Squirt)
Herps Are Awesome!

i am very sorry! it is very disheartening to see them die so young. i have never hatched uros but i have hatched other desert reptiles and i was advised to give them water because they can get dehydrated easily.

i hope all this clears up for you!
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vonnie

***Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months. Oscar Wilde ***

thanks for the replies...
And thanks to all of those who have emailed me with a possible solution...
Will keep posted...
Ed

What are the greens you feed them? There have been some problems with Dole and a few other greens containing ecoli in the news lately.

Is all happening. It's hard to accept hatchlings dying for any reason. So very frustrating and just down right SAD. I speak with experience in other species.

I hope the changes you have made will help the others to survive. Hang in there buddy ! Let us know how they do.
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PHEve / Eve

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