Fat tail gecko hatchlings

[Duncan]

Hi Everyone,
I originally had this in the breeding/incubation forum, but realized I wasn't incubating anymore (lol). Any suggestions?

My first fat tail gecko hatched out today (woo hoo!) This is my first lizard I've ever bred, most of my successes have been with amphibians. Any suggestions on care of the baby? I'm thinking sweater box with paper towel substrate and under tank heater. How humid do I keep baby? Water dish? When do I start feeding and what? Any help appreciated!
Thanks,
Duncan

[NiagaraReptiles]

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Congrats Duncan! Baby Fat Tails are so cute.

I raise babies in small rubbermaids (with several 1/8" holes drilled for ventalation) with paper towel as a substrate. I mist down the paper towel pretty well when I put it in initially and after each cleaning. In between times I lightly mist as I see fit. I've found humidity to be much more important for babies. Keep an eye on the toes to be sure the tips are all shedding properly.

For a water dish, the easiest thing I've found is the little plastic flower pot dishes (guessing at 3"-4" in diameter). These are shallow enough that the little guys can get in and out easily but will also hold enough water that it shouldn't evaporate daily. You can use the same dishes turned upside down for a hide and cut a little notch out for a doorway.

Typically, babies begin feeding three to seven days after hatching. They usually have enough energy from absorbing their yolk sac to go for a couple days at least, so don't worry too much if they don't eat at first. Be sure to remove any uneaten crickets though. I usually feed in the evening, and if there is anything left in the morning I remove them.

I offer 3/8" size crickets and keep track of how many I put in each cage for the first few feedings just to be sure they are eating well. After they are eating good, I try to stay on an every second day feeding schedule with them.

This is what has worked for me and I hope some of it will help answer some of you questions :)

[Colonel SB]

Wow that albino is awsome how much do they run for?

[NiagaraReptiles]

Amelanistic Fat Tail Geckos have come down in price quite a bit in the last year, which I feel has made them much more affordable yet will hold them as a steady, low level investment.

Here is not the place to discuss prices, but please feel free to contact me privately and/or browse through my website for answers to your questions. :)

[Thomas]

cute babies! good luck with them!

[Colonel SB]

I will have to look for sure, I didn't know there were albino fatteis in canada :D

[Samba]

I have such an affliction for Fat-Tails... adorable, absolutely precious... =)

[Duncan]

Thanks for the help JonK! About 2 hours after I found the first hatchling its clutch mate popped out! The two seem to be doing fine! I was surprised at how "aggressive" they were when I was arranging their rubbermaid. One in particular put on a bit of a display for my fingers, raising its body off of the paper towel, sort of arching and even striking at them when I got too close. Amazing how behaviors can be genetically determined, not just physical attributes!
Duncan