Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It seems that after our hatchlings are about 1 week old, they start destroying each other. It's making me sick.

You work so hard to get everything right, then this happens.

We house 4-5 babies in a large Sterilite tub, with sifted sand and a smooth rock under the basking spot.

At the other end is their water, greens, Rep Cal. Then, twice a day, I give them dusted crickets. They are healthy, growing and wonderful but then the damaged tail and feet.

We keep equal size with equal size.

How is everyone else doing it. Are you housing them individually?

Thanks,
Troy

feed them more often (3 times a day) could help prevent tail and toe nips. Putting them in separate containers certainly would guarentee no tail or toe nips.

I had an episode yesterday where a hatchling first went after a tail with his mouth open with no crickets in sight. I thought maybe it was a fluke and he made a mistake only to watch him dig under a stack of beardies and go for an arm!!! No damage was done thank goodness but now this nipper has his own bin which stinks, but where he has no other dragons to feel he has to show dominance or just to nip on. These hatchlings are well fed with pellets greens and crickets available all day long and still he felt the need to try and nip. I think it's more this individuals personality then it is over crowding as I also keep 5 to a bin, and they are never wanting for food or anything. Best bet is to get the nippers out as you see them cause if you don't one by one they will do a job on their siblings. I hated to separate him. but I don't want nips with these guys, and I'll separate as needed if I have too to avoid it. He got over being alone fast and is eating and basking fine. I don't know any other ideas of how to keep then safe. Low numbers to a bin, and feed heavy was the only instructions I got from some great breeders, so any other suggestions anyone??
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I think Matt is on target here. I will only add that you certainly should be offering crickets more frequently. I have read where some breeders will feed as much as 8 times per day. That may be over the top but it does lend to the idea of more frequent feedings. You may also want to consider feeding in a different container where they are normally housed. I know this is a pain but so are nips. Anyway feeding in a nuetral bin like just an empty tub may associate feeding there instead of their normal tubs. These are options to use if you don't want to reduce numbers in a bin.

Mike
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