Baby bearded dragons

[reptilez]

I recently had my BD eggs hatch and i was wondering, wow do they know to eat crickets and lettuce. i dont have to "teach" them do I ?

[marisa]

Actual Lettuce is not good for any animal. Its basically water and a whole bunch of nothing. :)

Fed them gut loaded crickets, and offer salad of Collard Greens or Mustard Green, Dandelion Greens, squashes, etc.

marisa

[reptilez]

I know wht to feed them, i was just wondering how long it usually takes for them to start eating. but thanx anyway!

[marisa]

After they have hatched? No need to be sorry I think I was just misunderstanding your question....

marisa

[reptilez]

Yes, after they hatch how long after that will they start eating, my babies havent eaten yet. I took them out of the incubator this morning so they've only been alive for less then 24 hrs.

[eyespy]

1-3 days if egg sac is fully absorbed at hatching, up to a week if not.

Try starting them on handfed greens first to get them off to a good start. Wiggle them around so they have a hunting response. Aim for greens in am feeding and crix 2-3 times a day later in the day if possible. Leave the greens all day for them to nibble and/or experiment.

[reptilez]

what do u mean by
"1-3 days if egg sac is fully absorbed at hatching, up to a week if not."

[Kat]

They're usually born with enough that they don't eat for a few days

[eyespy]

Beardies have a little slit on their abdomens that attaches to the egg yolks, kind of like a belly button for us humans. Ideally the yolk has been fully absorbed into the belly by the time the little one hatches. If so, s/he tends to get hungrier faster as some of it has already been digested.

If there is a little pink thing hanging off the hatchling's belly, that is unabsorbed yolk sac, it can take 2-3 days after the sac is fully absorbed before the baby gets hungry. Any babies with an exposed yolk sac should be kept on moist paper towels inside the incubator until the sacs are fully absorbed, with the temp bumped up to at least 90.

You can sort of guesstimate when a hatchling will get hungry by watching their little tummies. If all round and fat, s/he is still full. When it starts to get a more streamlined look, get ready for the gaping maw of a hungry hatchling! Hope you've got lots of tiny crix handy!

[reptilez]

so how do they know to eat the friut i give them??

[eyespy]

If they tongue flick it and it tastes good, they might try eating it on their own. Most times, though, you've got to wiggle it around so it looks like live prey and then they will go after it.

Be careful not to give too much fruit to babies. A little bit goes a long way. All that sugar can cause diarrhea and tiny little bodies dehydrate quickly. It's a good idea to offer them water several times daily by dripping it on their snouts so they can lap it up. Nutritious greens like collards, mustard, turnip, dandelion etc. also have a high water content which will help keep those little dudes well hydrated.