Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Currently have two hatchlings in a ten gallon tank on newspaper with a small coconut hide and a large basking piece of wood. heat bulb and UVB bulb on top of a screen top. The first hatchling hatched 8/30/07, and the second on 9/1/07. I placed 4 pinhead crickets into the tank today 9/4/07 after much searching to purchase them and the hatchlings were not interested. If anything they seemed to get easily spooked by the crickets touching them. I have continued to mist the walls of the tank and mist the hatchlings and have viewed them licking the walls and their noses. Is there anything else I can do for them if they will not eat? Are hatchlings expected to eat sooner or should I wait a few more days?

Thank you
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"Speak softly to my lizard fair nor raise your hand to me, For they are quick to take offense And quicker to champion me." ~Anne McCaffrey.

1.1 Bearded Dragon
2.2 Leopard Gecko
1.1 Blood Corn
1.0 Ball Python
0.1 Mali Uromastyx

They may not be ready to eat yet but should be today I would think. I think pinheads are way too small. Really not enough to them to make a meal in my opinion. Pinheads and 1/8" crix are also really hard to contain and keep alive for any length of time.

I fed mine 3/16" which were plenty small enough. I only fed 3/16" because I buy all my crix in bulk and they would be 1/4" by the time I fed then all out.

I'd get rid of the hide. The last thing you want is one of them using it. I'd also consider a simpler basking site. Most breeders use nothing at all. I used a dark landscape brick. What you are trying to do is eliminate the competition for the best spot. So a large flat area gives many equal places to bask around the light.

I would cover at least 3 sides of the terrarium. I still have one that I have all 4 sides covered and my babies are almost a month old now. Some are just much more easily stressed than others.

I worry about 10 gal. tanks. Be careful with your temps. I use 7" tall plastic bins that are about the same size as a 10 gal. The shorter height gives better temp. separation and a cooler cool side.

I gave the coconut hide to my smaller female leopard gecko, but unfortunatly by way of smaller tanks for hatchlings I dont have the money or the space for the rack systems. I have a cat that likes to watch my adult lizards, and neither party has any problems with it, but I would be a little worried about putting my hatchlings into a tub with the lamps suspended over top. The small crickets that I have i guessed were pinheads but are about 1/4 inch long. My usual pet store didnt receive their shipment of crickets so I had to purchase the smalls at petsmart along with some mediums for the rest of my gang. Do you know when it might be good to start feeding veggies and greens? I experimentally scattered a few finely chopped pieces of the salad i feed my other beardies dusted with calcium but they didnt seem interested.

Thanks
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"Speak softly to my lizard fair nor raise your hand to me, For they are quick to take offense And quicker to champion me." ~Anne McCaffrey.

1.1 Bearded Dragon
2.2 Leopard Gecko
1.1 Blood Corn
1.0 Ball Python
0.1 Mali Uromastyx

Pinheads are literally the size of a pin head. You should be OK with pet store smalls just be sure you pick out the smallest ones and feed the rest to your larger animals.

I put in greens from day one. I tear small pieces (no larger that their heads) of mustard greens and a little romaine and put them in a jar lid. I then put a bottom full of water in to keep them moist. I leave the salad in from after the 1st meal to just before the last meal. It is important to do this if you are housing more than 1 baby together. If they are hungry it is better to have salad available then for them to snack on each others toes and tail tips.