Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is my first clutch of dragons. 2 have hatched so far. 14 more to go. My crickets are supposed to be delivered Tuesday. I've read that they go 2-3 days after hatching before beginning to feed so is it ok that my crickets won't be in until Tuesday, or should I go pick some up at the pet store for the interim. I have put small greens in the hatchlings cage.

a couple of questions, how many hatchlings per cage?? I have 6 cages I can use, but is that necessary?

Thanks,

Mike

I think Tuesday is too long to wait. I guess in you situation I'd buy a bunch of pet store smalls (3/8" and pick out the smallest ones until Tuesday. I figure they hatch on Sat. you leave them in the incubator (in a differnt container) till Sun. they need to be fed on Mon. latest.

If the hatchlings are well fed then there isn't really a problem with housing 8 per enclosure if you really want. The biggest risk is nips during feeding. In your case I personally would house 4 per enclosure and then use the other 2 as feeding tanks. Separate dragons by size and aggressiveness.

thanks for the reply. I will make my way to the pet store tomorrow to pick up some small crix. The third one just hatched!!!

Mike

Can hatchlings climb the sides of 8 inch tall rubbermaid tubs and escape?? Do I need to put the lid on these or leave them uncovered so they can get more direct benefit of the heating light?

Thanks,

Mike

No they can't climb plastic. I wouldn't use a lid no matter what. They need access to UVA and UVB that a lid would block. You can make a screen lid out of wood and window screen if you want but I don't think it'll be necessary for a while.

I would put a river stone of a landscape brick in there though so they have an elevated place to bash on. The stone will also absord heat so they will get some from the bottom to when they lay on it.

That sounds like a great idea, thanks. I now have 6 that have hatched and have made contact with a cricket breeder about an hour away. I'm driving there later today to get some. Take care,

Mike

8" is very low for a cage and even if hatchlings can't climb the plastic, it doesn't mean they can't jump or climb on eachother and get out. Once those hatchlings are about 5" in body length, they have a good chance of getting out of these cages so a screen lid would be a very good thing to get, or just get taller cages.
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PHLdyPayne