Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i just hatched my first letherback and its really small it can not eat by itself whats the best way to feed it its only about an inch and a half maybe two help please

When did it hatch? Why do you think it can't eat by itself?

because I tried to give it salad and it could not bite through it and it hatched yesterday

Most babies won't eat at all for 2-3,even 4 days. Just keep it misted [ he may not like it at first,but will be used to it in no time,that is how my babies drink ] When you do give him greens,give him FINELY shredded ones that are soft,like mustard and turnip greens. Don't bother with collard greens [ they are very tough ] unless you can grate them so they are like confetti. Crickets can be offered in a couple of days,just a few at a time.....get the 1/8 inch. Does he seem alert,active or just laying around ? Some runts do not make it. If he's alert,that's a good sign for sure. Even if he's lethargic,give him a chance.

He seems ok tries to bite me everytime i got next to him the greens are finely chopped i was thinking maybe mashing some crikets and worms up and feeding him with a syringe or something would this be a good idea

I definitely wouldn't recommend that. I think you just need to follow what Angie posted. Assist feeding is very stressful and with a dragon that small it is more likely you will do more harm than good. Sometimes it takes up to 5 days till they eat but I would offer crickets twice daily from the 2nd day on and keep it hydrated. Collect uneaten crickets.

hatchling dragons are rarely hungry out of the egg up to a week after hatching, as they are full of yolk or still absorbing it. Offer small crickets in a couple days as suggested, or even small phoenix worms.
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PHLdyPayne

Their teeth are really not made to bite threw leaves. They bite the leaves and then pull to rip off a piece when it is attached to a plant. Doesn't work so well in a salad so the pieces need to be very small. Smaller than it's mouth. I like mustard and dandelion for hatchlings. It's good that it's interested in food though. At that size I would house him alone for sure. Did others hatch? What size are they?

he was the only egg I kept out of 26 from my females first clutch so he is in the tank by himself already ill try crickets tomorrow and see how he gets on with them hopefully he will start eating he likes biting things so hopefully he will eat

How many days did he incubate before hatching? What temp.?

N/P

He seems ok looks to be getting more and more lively as the days go on still abit worried about him not eating i offer him 1/8 crikets 2-3 times a day but he still doesn't seem interested i spray him twice a day he wasn't meant to be born for atleast another 2 weeks from my dates i'm at a lose at what else to do for him/her

Don't panic it's only day 4. Sometimes they go as long as 5 or 6 days just to stress you out. If he's moving around and thermo regulating that's a good sign.

I'm not a real believer in spraying. I'd see if you can drip some water on his nose with an eyedropper and see if he licks it. It usually takes a few trials till they get used to it.

i have a pool in the tank he did go for a dip today ill try the eye drop and see if he drinks some all i can do is keep my fingers and toes crossed i guess