New hatchling syndrome

drew54

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I now understand the panic that new owners go through when they get their first hatchling. I have to say that it's exactly like having a human baby. Ugh all the anxieties lol, but it's amazing! As I stated in my previous post I have been reading this forum for over a year pouring through care sheets and countless threads. I have to say that out of all the information I have come across this forum has filed my brain full of knowledge through the care sheets, but most of all through others experiences and the experts whom all of have poured countless hours of time and energy devoted to these amazing creatures and educating all of us with their knowledge. All of this has eased most of my anxieties and has given me the confidence to take care of my hatchling. I have to say that if I hadn't of found this forum and everyone in it I would probably almost a year later getting my tort and raising it in the wrong environment. I know I have some work ahead of me in getting fully appropriate size indoor enclosure done soon as well as outside enclosure in a few years. I also know some improvements need to be made with my current enclosure. I think if Tom lived next door to mer he would probably slap the back of my head and tell me "bigger and better!" Lol I'm working on it. I do want to thank Tom for his hard work into creating those care sheets and stubbornly nitpicking enclosures. I have to say with that constant and consistent information I would still be lost as to exactly what is the proper setup. I know that some on here disagree with Tom, but it's his consistency that sold me to his care sheets. I'm a behavioral specialist, so I understand the importance of consistency and tailoring things to an individual, species, etc. Anyway, I also want to thank everyone in this forum in helping me learn how to take care of my new hatchling!!! IMG_0689.jpg
 

wellington

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Very cute. Glad you found us and did your home work first.
It gets easier as time goes on. Just stick with the info on this forum and if your little one was hatched and cared for properly before you got him, you'll do fine.
 

drew54

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Very cute. Glad you found us and did your home work first.
It gets easier as time goes on. Just stick with the info on this forum and if your little one was hatched and cared for properly before you got him, you'll do fine.

Thank you. I tried to do as much as I can and still learning. I think I've read a million of your posts, toms, and Yvonne and I'm still learning from you guys.

I have soaked him twice today and he has fresh grass, cactus, turnip greens, clover, wheat grass, mulberry leaves, and collard greens. He has moved around different corners of his enclosure, but he hasn't touched his food. When I try to hand feed him a a small cut piece of leaf he acts like he is smelling and gong to eat it but just moves his head back and forth. So far he has just been sleeping in his basking spot most of the day. I think I read that this is normal and can last a few days? Is that correct?
 

wellington

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They will sleep a lot. I have leopards and mine have always ate like pigs and seem to avoid the uvb/basking. Although as young ones, they were/are in a small enclosure so they still get uvb no matter where they are.
If you haven't had him very long, they do tend too take their time adjusting.
Just be sure your temps and humidity at tort level are correct. Soak every day and keep putting him in front of the food.
Mine seem to want too eat right after their lights come on in the a.m.
Give yours a warm soak first thing in the a.m. and then feed.
 

drew54

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Yeah, i just got him this morning. I have been putting him in front of his food every time i check temps about every 30 min or so in hopes that he wants to eat. I will definitely continue to do so and soak him at least twice a day since he seems to really like it. Are there any behavioral differences with leopards and sulcatas?
 

drew54

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Oh, and when lights out i should remove all the food right?
 

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