Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I woke up this morning depressed about my bearded dragon eggs that I was convinced wouldn't hatch after some idiot told me to slit the eggs. Its been 82 days of incubation so I figured the babies didn't have much of a chance. I went to check the incubator and found, to my surprise, a little beardie head poking out of an egg. It looked a bit on the dead side, just had the head hanging down with its eyes closed, but I decided to wait until I remove the "dead" baby from the incubator. A few hours later I went to my room to get the "dead" baby and noticed that the egg was completely empty and that there was a baby dragon running about the incubator! I'm so glad to have atleast one of them hatch. I really hope some of the other eggs will make it. I just also wanted to know how long it usually takes for the newborns to eat. I gave him/her a cricket today and it just completely ignored it. Also, since it doesn't have its egg sack still attached, does it need wet paper towels to keep it hydrated or can they be dry? Should I keep a shallow lid with water in it for the baby or is there too much risk of drowning? Thanks for all the help and support you have all given me regarding the eggs!

You have much to learn. They don't eat too much in the first few days. Go buy a book or two or three, and go read a website or actually about a dozen. For water I mist mine or soak them in shallow water while I clean their cages.
-----
Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

I'm very happy for you and those babies. Keep your fingers crossed for the others, but it is great that atleast one made it from that mishap. I would suggest coming here first before making any drastic decisions. I guess that was a lesson learned. Good Luck with the rest
-----
Photos

I have some that eat the day after hatching...but on the average it's about 3 days before they eat....some as long as 5-7 days....mist them 3-5 times a day with tepid water....if no egg sack is attached then there is no need for moist paper towels all the time.....

The others should hatch out within the next few days....though occassionally you have some that make you wait a week or more. If one made it, then I'm sure more will.....

Oh yes, the hatching process is grueling for them, so they often look "dead", but they're just resting in between working.

Congrats and keep us posted!

np

Congratulations!!
I am sure the rest will come out soon