New Hatchling

[reptilemad michelle]

Hi All
I'm new to the forum but not to tortoises. I have recently been incubating my females first clutch of eggs. the first few didn't hatch (they laying was spread out over 2 months so hatching dates all differed) then 2 days ago one started to hatch, 1 of the eggs we thought definitely wouldn't hatch (due to it starting to crack soon after being laid and oozing a blood type secretion from the shell)

The tortoise is now free from the shell and has been moved to a 2ft tank with ceramic heat lamp and uv bulb. the problem is it still hasn't started to eat. should I be worried? Is this normal? and what do I do if it won't eat?

I have put the tortoise on a dry wood chip substrait as I was advised, is this a good substrait for a baby?

Sorry for all the questions but I want to get everything right for the little guy

 

[egyptiandan]

New hatchlings can take up to 21 days to start eating. Just keep offering a small amount of food everyday.
A good organic soil would be better than the wood chips for you hatchling. 2 to 3 inches should work just fine.
Do you know the temperatures in your enclosure, warm end, cool end, under basking lamp and night time?
Pictures of your set-up would be great.

Danny

 

[reptilemad michelle]

Sorry for the delay in replying but my internet has been off for a few days. sorted now though.
I have a thermostat in there and the basking temps in the warm end are 32 degrees the cool end goes down to 24 degrees day time. Night time I have been turning everything off but the temps never go below 24 degrees. I have a uv bulb in and some drift wood (my older torts love to hide under drift wood) I am struggling to find something to put water into that she won't drown in it. I have also used an upside down saucer to put her food on. I did have it the other way up but she got on and then couldn't get off. I have also given her a soak in warm water as I was told this would stimulate her to eat.

I have also changed her substrait to rainforest mulch as I read on the reptile forum that it helps the tortoise to have moisture underneath but the top level dries out due to the heat in the viv. is this right? she seems to prefer this and loves to dig herself into it. should I mix some soil in with it or change it?

when I find my camera charger I will be able to post some pictures. It ran out when I tried to upload the other day and my toddler has been playing hide and seek with the charger.

 

[Crazy1]

michelle, what is in the rainforest mulch? I would not use any pine, cedar or fir, this can irritate hatchlings eyes and respiratory tracts. I have found that using a hermit crab bowl the one with steps. These allow new hatchlings to walk in and out. And you can regulate how deep you fill it. I found mine at Petsmart. They even glow in the dark. I also know they can be found online. And when you put food in its enclosure make sure you put it in the food bowl at least until it gets use to were the food is. Hope this helps some.

 

[reptilemad michelle]

The advice is great thanks. never been a breader before and I know that it is not hard to get it terribly wrong. I want the best for this little guy.
The bark is from a specialist reptile shop and doesn't contain anything bad (according to the shop). I will check the ingredients.
Here is some pictures of my baby.