Now what?

[Melicia]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the help with the little ones! They seem to be doing ok. The larger one is doing very good, and has a hearty appitite, although he doesn't seem keen on anything but lettuce. I've given him some of the edible garden,but no luck.

The smaller one still makes me nervous. It's not eating. It takes in plenty of water, but no food! I've weighed it, and it is still on 25 grams. So no weight loss, but no gain either.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE CONFIRM THE YOLK SACK THING FOR ME PLEASE!

I have them on mulch now, a nice organic one.

 

[Yvonne G]

What are you asking about the yolk sac? If they have remnants of the yolk still attached to them, they are getting nutrition from that until it is all absorbed. Is that what you are asking?

Yvonne

 

[Crazy1]

Melicia, I just had a look at your pics ( http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-9329.html ) post#14 picture # 2 looked as if your hatchlings tummy is just closing. Meaning it looks as if it is just absorbing the last of its yolk sack and it's tummy (plasteron) will be closing soon. Some hatchlings do not eat until all the yolk sack has been absorbed and that can take a week or so after you see the tummy closed. Continue to offer it food that is cut very fine and count the number of pieces you give it so you can tell if it has eaten. And keep an eye on it's wt just to make sure there is not big drop in wt.

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Has the little Leo got his eyes open now?

What have you been trying to feed them besides lettuce?

 

[Melicia]

emysemys,

I just needed confirmation that the yolk sack is the reason it's not eating, but thanks for replying.

Crazy1 and all others;

I checked on it first thing after getting home yesterday. Still not eating, but the sack has shrunk considerably. I give it a few bits of food, but so far it goes untouched.

It's eyes are open now, the moist mulch is doing wonders. How often does it get changed?

I have given them cucumber, lettuce, wandering jew, dandilion and african daisy. The only thing the smaller one eats is the lettuce. I will have to wean him off it.

 

[Crazy1]

You might want to try some escarole or curly endive. Mine Greeks really like Frizee which is a small leaf curly endive I get at Trader Joes when in season.
Glad to hear it's eyes are open. I only change my mulch about every 4 to 6 months but I'll let a Leopard owner talk to that one.