hatchling ackies! :) FINALLY!!

[Kyle Walkinshaw]

I just purchased a pair of very tiny little hatchling ackies that were born last weekend. I've been waiting for these to hatch for so long now and was so excited when I found out they did. I've got them home now in a 10 gallon enclosure, with a soil (terra-fibre) substrate, a hide, waterdish, and piece of driftwood with a silk flower as you can see in the photo below

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/700sscn2886.jpg

And heres a shot of the two little ones in their new home

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/700sscn2892.jpg

And now heres just a few close up shots of one of my new babies:)

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/700sscn2883.jpg

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/700sscn2885.jpg

Im pretty new to the world of Varanids so any comments or suggestions are welcome :)

Cheers, Kyle~

[reptilez]

Let me be the first to Congratulate you
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Awesome:D:D
There so small.
Did you buy the eggs and Incubate them or what??
Good Luck,
-Reptilez

[Kyle Walkinshaw]

No, they were hatched by a friend and so I got a sweet deal on them:)

[Invictus]

Congrats Kyle! Good luck with the babies.

[reptilez]

Awesome!!
Good Luck with them:D
-Reptilez

[Bartman]

those a awsome looking ackies. Nice pics and good luck with the new group.

[ErikM]

Kyle, here are a few tips for your ackie setup.

First off, make a deeper substrate, as babies will burrow right off the bat when they get the chance. I recommend 8-12 inches. Second, it looks as though that basking spot may be alittle cooler than it should. What are your temps? Keep em hot and feedem alot. I always had my basking spots at ATLEAST 110, they love it hot!

Good luck with them!

Erik

[burmer]

Conrats on the new ones. They are awesome. Good luck with them.

[Kyle Walkinshaw]

Thanks for the comments everyone:)

@ErikM - Will-do on the substrate, i'll pick some more up tonight.
For the light, I have a 100W spot bulb that im NOT using because I thought it would be TOO hot? Should I put that bulb in? Ive only got 50 watts on top because it's only a 10 gal and I thought it might overheat, ive also got a zoomed mini heat-pad under 1/2 of the hide spot. Temps right now are at a little over 100 F and for feeding im kind of concerned because when I purchased them the guy hadn't even tried feeding yet and since they were being moved around alot I didnt want to stress them out more by tossing in a bunch of crickets, so I waited till today and tossed in some tiny 1/8 crickets this morning but I don't know if they even see them? What can I do if they don't start eating soon?

Thanks for the tips:)

Cheers, Kyle~

[ErikM]

Kyle,

Ackies are eating machines, and will eat 1/2 inch crickets for sure. It is a good idea not to throw too many in, as the uneaten ones may bug your lizards.
100F is fine, and you can leave it at that temp for a while. As they get older you will definitly want to raise their basking temp to 110-120. They are Aussie lizards, and its hot as heck downunder!

I have never heard of ackies not eating, so keep an eye out I am pretty sure they are munching down!

Keep us updated.

Erik

[Wrath]

Please forgive me: What are ackies?

They look like tiny monitors. What is that term short for, sorry I'm a civilian. They are very cute!!

[ErikM]

They are a smaller monitor species.

Varanus acanthurus acanthurus is the red ackie and
Varanus acanthurus brachyurus is the yellow ackie

[ErikM]

Oops, I was going to say that ackie is short for Acanthurus.

[NiagaraReptiles]

Congratulations and welcome to the wonderful world of the little guys :)

Babies are just like adults, only smaller. I've found if you treat them differently, they don't do as well. In my experience they begin feeding within a day of hatching. As Erik mentioned, feed 'em a lot.....as much as they'll eat provided they have access to a hot enough heat source. On the same note, they need to have a place or three to get away from the heat as well should they feel the need.

Also be careful you don't let them get too dry.

I've always used 10 gallon tanks for hatchlings as they are the right size to easily provide for the little buggars without causeing more problems. I've come across a type of 50 watt reflector bulb that works well for my purposes, though I don't use halogens. The type of lid you are using will play a large roll in what wattage bulb you will require to keep temps at an optimum level, and retain humidity.

Best wishes,


PS - They're addicting ;)

[meluvstgr]

Is that soil good for savannah monitors too? Because I was told to go outside and dig up some soil, but my yard isn't really soil. It's sand. What do I do about this? Sorry to interrupt your post. Your ackies are cute! How big do they get?

[enso]

Congrats, they're beautiful. Awesome setup. I'd live there. =P

[ErikM]

Any real dirt is great for monitors, and I have found that dirt with sand in it holds burrows even better. Try it out. it might work well.

[NiagaraReptiles]

The type of dirt to be used with any given species can vary depending on the age of the animal, as well as the specific animals preference.
I'm afraid there really isn't an easy answer here. For adult Ackies (and Sav's) I would suggest more of a silty mineral dirt. Low organic property, good drainage, yet holds water well (I know, it's confusing). These are a few things that are important to females looking for a place to nest. Babies don't nest, so you need to find a substrate that works for them and thier needs.

Depending on where you lice, that can be as simple as diggin dirt from your back yard......for me, I had a 2 year quest until I found the dirt I'm using now.

Best wishes,

[NiagaraReptiles]

I should add that just because one would keep their monitor on dirt, it doesn't mean it's going to be a recognizable or usable substrate for your monitor. The type/composition of dirt really does matter when it comes to nesting.

[V.hb]

Pro-Exotics claims they have the god of all soils... Its really red, anyone try using it? It looks like it works well for them......


I just used stuff from out back..... Quite a few burrows made by a few different species of varanid, So hopefully its adequate.

[V.hb]

About the ackies not eating, as Jon said treat them like adults. When recieving our little hatchlings awhile back they refused small crickets, but a few large went in and they went right for them, tearing them apart. You NEED hot temperatures, i would have your bask at around 120 for sure, I feel 100 is too cold for them.

Good luck!

[Kyle Walkinshaw]

Update on feeding!! :) Not too big a deal but I tossed in some small crickets last night (only a few) and was disappointed this morning when then were all still there but just 30 seconds ago RIGHT before I came to write this I saw one of my little ackies pounce on a small cricket!! He missed:P but atleast now I know they are hungry and going to eat and it just put my mind at ease!:)

Thank you to everyone who responded with comments and advice, it has helped :)

Cheers, Kyle~

[Batdad]

Very nice:)

Bruce

[NiagaraReptiles]

Originally posted by V.hb
Pro-Exotics claims they have the god of all soils... Its really red, anyone try using it? It looks like it works well for them......


I just used stuff from out back..... Quite a few burrows made by a few different species of varanid, So hopefully its adequate.


Lots of people say a lot of things.......that's one of the biggest problems when dealing with Monitors. One thing I've learned is to not worry so much about what everyone else is doing at thier place and to concentrate on my captives.

There are several soil types that will "work" for each species. Fewer still that will work well. By "work" I mean nesting-hatching. After all, what else is there for a monitor to do with their life?

Anyway, all that is a whole other can of worms........

[lordkovacs]

coo man coo. great ackies. they look awesome! cheers,
MIKE

[Clownfishie]

Congrats, they're very cute!! :D