Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Recently I saved a baby eastern box from some friends of mine that had the thing floating in a tan gallon fish aquarium...
argh...

anyways he is doing pretty good now but he is super super small like right out of the egg... I'd say less than a few weeks old. And I can't get his eyes to open...

Is this normal or do I need to do something I don't want the little guy to get infected or anything and I can't imagine dehydration from living in a water aquariuM? he is in a small 5 gallon tank now with the sides papered off not that he can see anyways with a 50/50 mix of moss and top soil.

Should I just wait the eyes out or rub them softly with a q-tip? I really need some advice on this guy.. thanks!

Good for you for rescuing the little guy!
Because they are so very small, I'm inclined to suggest waiting rather than fiddling with a cotton swab just yet...Give it something to hide under, let it soak for a few minutes each day, and keep the ambient humidity high with temps between 75-85 degrees. They don't all emerge from the egg with eyes open.
I think there are probably more experienced folks on the forum who can give more specialized advice, so stay tuned.
Good luck
Stephanie

The eyes should open at least periodically. Baby boxies sleep alot. Typically, they burrow under the substrate or under brush and fallen tree matter.

Let me describe my newborns to give you an idea.

1. When I first set them in the enclosure they skatter to find cover and are rarely out in the open, early on.

2. Every 2 days, I pull each baby out and place them in a small tupperware dish with just enough water that they can easily breath. They drink at that time.

3. I place a few rollie bugs or reptomin sticks in the water and most times, the babies consume some or all of the food.

Note, when ever the babies are active (moving, drinking, eating), their eyes are open.

If the baby you have has it's eyes shut always, there is something wrong. Provide the best environment you can and hopefully this baby will turn around. If it is sick (bacterial, viral or other) at this age, you will most likely lose him as they are very delicate. The best thing you can do is provide a good moist substrate with temps in the 75 - 80 range, a safe shallow water source and decent small food options. You could see a vet but at that size, meds would be challenging.

Good luck to you and let us know how it goes.

Paul