Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, I was at the pond today looking for black racers (oh, and I found a 5footer BTW). And I saw a hole that had a bunch of shell pieces in. So I dug a bit in the hole and found 2 eggs. I thought that whatever inside was dead cause if it was alive it would have left like the others. So I opened the eggs and found they were baby snappers and both are alive. I then found a 3rd egg. I poked a hole in the egg but that turtle is still inside. I bred boas so I know to leave them in the shell as long as possible to absorb as much yoke as possible. Both the hatchlings have a yellow yoke attached to the belly. Both of the shells are extremely soft, I even may have deformed one while holding them. Well I have them in a bucket with some water on one end and they are wrapped in wet/damp papertowels. I can use some advise on keeping these guys alive. I may have opened the egg too earily for them. These 3 were deeper in the ground then the others. Also, I know snappers eat fish and earthworms. But what do the tiny hatchlings eat. Please help with advise. This just happened this morning. Thanks

I had a clutch hatch recently.I left them in a moist environment for about a week while they absorbed the yolk sac.They also do not eat much at first because of getting what they need from the yolk.After a week I moved them to tanks with water just deep enough so they can lift their noses out of the water to breath.I have been feeding them worms,peeled shrimp,fish and pond pellets.They don't eat much while I am watching but when I sneak a peek they are going at the food vigorously.All are doing well.A water change is necessary after they eat the shrimp because it really fouls the water.

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