Hatchling syndrome

Peggy Sue · Aug 6, 2018

Is there a certain weight and age where you will not have to worry about losing your baby to hatchling syndrome?
Our first baby lasted a month we bought another baby from a completely different source and I am so sad to say our Sheldon passed last week after 8 months He was well loved and cared for thanks to this forum. My biggest tip off with him was he didn't gain much weight even though he ate well when we noticed his plastron was dis colored and soft I knew there was nothing we could do and he passed a day later. He has left a huge hole in my heart. Love keeping torts but I don't think I can take another big loss. They both where Sulcatas. Thank you to everyone on this forum you are a huge wealth of knowledge and I enjoy seeing everyone's pictures and stories this is a wonderful community to be apart of ❤️

Reptilony · Aug 6, 2018

This question has been in my mind for a long time too. My baby doesn’t gain weight even tho she eats a lot. She is almost five months old and only weighs 44g. If you like torts maybe you shouldn’t give up just choose a good breeder that doesn’t dry start it’s hatchlings. Im afraid she might die later if she keeps not gaining weight...

Tom · Aug 6, 2018

Peggy Sue said:
Is there a certain weight and age where you will not have to worry about losing your baby to hatchling syndrome?
Our first baby lasted a month we bought another baby from a completely different source and I am so sad to say our Sheldon passed last week after 8 months He was well loved and cared for thanks to this forum. My biggest tip off with him was he didn't gain much weight even though he ate well when we noticed his plastron was dis colored and soft I knew there was nothing we could do and he passed a day later. He has left a huge hole in my heart. Love keeping torts but I don't think I can take another big loss. They both where Sulcatas. Thank you to everyone on this forum you are a huge wealth of knowledge and I enjoy seeing everyone's pictures and stories this is a wonderful community to be apart of ❤️

Generally speaking, if they make it over 50 grams and are gaining steadily over time, they will be fine. Its when they hover around 50 for weeks or months at a time that you have a problem.

And there is no "hatchling syndrome". What you are referring to should be called breeder failure syndrome. Hatchlings grow up and do just fine IF IF IF they are simply started with some hydration and humidity. The problem is that most of the breeders around the country keep them too dry, soak them too infrequently if at all, and some house them outside all day. Most breeders also don't feed them correctly, relying mostly on romaine or spring mix. All of these things make a high percentage of them fail. If you buy from a breeder who soaks daily, and keeps them indoors in a warm humid closed chamber, your baby will survive and thrive. Message me if you need a source for a healthy baby instead of a dry started one.

Peggy Sue · Aug 6, 2018

Tom said:
Generally speaking, if they make it over 50 grams and are gaining steadily over time, they will be fine. Its when they hover around 50 for weeks or months at a time that you have a problem.

And there is no "hatchling syndrome". What you are referring to should be called breeder failure syndrome. Hatchlings grow up and do just fine IF IF IF they are simply started with some hydration and humidity. The problem is that most of the breeders around the country keep them too dry, soak them too infrequently if at all, and some house them outside all day. Most breeders also don't feed them correctly, relying mostly on romaine or spring mix. All of these things make a high percentage of them fail. If you buy from a breeder who soaks daily, and keeps them indoors in a warm humid closed chamber, your baby will survive and thrive. Message me if you need a source for a healthy baby instead of a dry started one.

Thank you Tom, Sheldon only got to be 47g. It actually reminds me more of a failure to thrive I wish more breeders switch over to raising them more hydrated and save these poor babies from suffering. We where thinking of getting a baby that was bigger maybe 3 inches that's what prompted my question. I am not sure how to message you but I would love to know how to get a healthy well stared baby

wellington · Aug 6, 2018

To message anyone, click on their name/avatar and a box will pop up. Click on the part that says start a conversation. The conversation box will pop up. Put in a title, the person you are sending it too will already be there in this way of starting a conversation and then fill in the message box with your message. Click the button at the bottom that says start a conversation

Peggy Sue · Aug 6, 2018

wellington said:
To message anyone, click on their name/avatar and a box will pop up. Click on the part that says start a conversation. The conversation box will pop up. Put in a title, the person you are sending it too will already be there in this way of starting a conversation and then fill in the message box with your message. Click the button at the bottom that says start a conversation

Thank you!

Chasen · Aug 12, 2018

Sorry for your loss. I feel your pain as I purchased a hatchling at a show (I've never before had an issue with babies I got at shows) and feel like he's just not thriving. It's very frustrating not feeling secure with a positive outcome. I was previously unaware of the proper start for hatchlings by the breeders, so I was lucky with my previous babies as I only provided moist hides and open air enclosures. Don't get discouraged. Get a new babe from a reputable breeder.

Chasen · Aug 12, 2018

Tom said:
Generally speaking, if they make it over 50 grams and are gaining steadily over time, they will be fine. Its when they hover around 50 for weeks or months at a time that you have a problem.

And there is no "hatchling syndrome". What you are referring to should be called breeder failure syndrome. Hatchlings grow up and do just fine IF IF IF they are simply started with some hydration and humidity. The problem is that most of the breeders around the country keep them too dry, soak them too infrequently if at all, and some house them outside all day. Most breeders also don't feed them correctly, relying mostly on romaine or spring mix. All of these things make a high percentage of them fail. If you buy from a breeder who soaks daily, and keeps them indoors in a warm humid closed chamber, your baby will survive and thrive. Message me if you need a source for a healthy baby instead of a dry started one.

What is considered a steady weight gain? Would it be a daily gain or over a few days?

katieandiggy · Aug 12, 2018

Chasen said:
What is considered a steady weight gain? Would it be a daily gain or over a few days?

That would depend on the species of tortoise.
My Russian has gained about a gram per week since I got him albeit it hasn’t been 1 gram every week, some weeks it’s 3g some 2g some none. But he has gained steady over the period.
Something like a sulcata will have much bigger gains than that..

AZRT · Aug 12, 2018

Never realized I should weigh him. I’ll have to grab a food scale. Is what what most use for hatchlings?

katieandiggy · Aug 12, 2018

A digital scale is best obviously. I use one I got from eBay. They are not expensive.

Tom · Aug 13, 2018

Chasen said:
What is considered a steady weight gain? Would it be a daily gain or over a few days?

For smaller species and younger babies it might only be a gram or two per week. For other species, like a 3 month old sulcata, I'd want to see 5-10 grams a week, and it should accelerate as they gain size.

Peggy Sue · Aug 13, 2018

Chasen said:
Sorry for your loss. I feel your pain as I purchased a hatchling at a show (I've never before had an issue with babies I got at shows) and feel like he's just not thriving. It's very frustrating not feeling secure with a positive outcome. I was previously unaware of the proper start for hatchlings by the breeders, so I was lucky with my previous babies as I only provided moist hides and open air enclosures. Don't get discouraged. Get a new babe from a reputable breeder.

Thank you for your kind words, I will say a few prayers for your little guy :tort:

I am so grateful for all the knowledge and help from everyone on this forum. We will get another baby soon. I really miss the time I would spend with the little guy wether it was scouting out weeds or soaking up some sun or bath time.

AZRT · Aug 13, 2018

Peggy Sue said:
Thank you for your kind words, I will say a few prayers for your little guy I am so grateful for all the knowledge and help from everyone on this forum. We will get another baby soon. I really miss the time I would spend with the little guy wether it was scouting out weeds or soaking up some sun or bath time.

Ha ha ha ok

Hatchling syndrome

Peggy Sue

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Reptilony

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Tom

The Dog Trainer

Peggy Sue

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wellington

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Peggy Sue

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Chasen

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Chasen

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katieandiggy

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AZRT

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katieandiggy

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Tom

The Dog Trainer

Peggy Sue

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AZRT

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