Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How quickly have you experienced the hatchings eat? Was it the first day, second day? And did they eat anything except pinheads and fruit flies?

Thanks

Vlad.

Hi Vlad,

Out of the hundreds of hatchlings that we had this year (on the last clutch currently-TG), most don't eat until the second day (for veiled). Panther hatchlings seem to take a bit longer. They can sustain themselves on the bit of yolk sack that was left. Now a jackson, however, will eat right away - within an hour of being born.

We offer hydei flies the first few days, then start offering pinhead crickets. Keep the insects together by giving them some fruit to focus on (orange, a grape, banana). You can also offer fruit baby food. Keep the fruit flies in reach of the hatchlings so they will notice them. But not so many that the flies will over-run the hatchlings. This scares them off.

Good luck with your large clutch!
Hope this helps,
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Thank you so much for all the info. It really eased the tension. I had a feeling that they will consume all the yolk that they ate prior to hatching. I mean, he/she doesn't even know what pinhead crickets are. He/she was scared of them LOL!.

I only have 60 more to go LOL. One big clutch, and it seems like they will all hatch! 80% Are already 'sweating', and 2 are half-way hatched.

Again, thanks a lot for the info.

Vlad.