3 Day old panther progress- question

[bldurbin]

Ive been calling him a boy just because of his markings I haven't sexed him yet but he is doing good roaming around his tub! The only thing that concerns me is that he still hasn't ate anything. Someone on the site told me it could take up to a week for a baby to start eating. I was wondering some other peoples opinions or ways to get a hatchling to eat. Im currently trying to feed him fruit flies, I havent had luck with pinheads either. I am probably just worrying too much, they will eat when their hungry right?

 

[christineacero]

Usually when they start roaming its a good indication that they're hungry and looking for food. How big is the tub that this little guy is in? He might not be able to find the food if the enclosure is too big. I have baby sternfeldi that look similar in size to your little one, and I have them all separated in their own tall deli cups with fake plants and twigs. That way, they have enough room to toot around but food is always close by. Just a thought.

By the way, that little one is absolutely adorable! Good luck!!

 

[bldurbin]

Here is the cage he is in

 

[bldurbin]

He drinks water great, just hasnt ate anything yet

 

[laurie]

His food could get out of that cage really fast. I would use a smaller tub so he doesn't have to work so hard and try Michaels Crafts for the tiny cages they have for $5. I will try to find you the link.

Here is the link
https://www.chameleonforums.com/suspended-baby-enclosure-129562/

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

 

[bldurbin]

Thank you I planned on going to michaels to get the small cages when more are born. He just seems uninterested in the fruit flies, even somewhat scared. He just backs away from them if they come up close to him

 

[christineacero]

To me, that looks like a massive enclosure for one baby. How small are the fruit flies? There are 2 kinds of fruit flies you can get. Drosophila Melanogaster are the smaller of the two, at about 2.5mm, and the Drosophila Hydei are the more common ones that I've seen, at about 3.5mm. If you have the bigger fruit flies, he might just be intimidated by them and that's why hes not going for them. Try and get your hands on the smaller guys, that's what I'm feeding my babies currently and they're snatching them up!

 

[bldurbin]

I put him in a much smaller container but I havent put the fruit flies back in it yet just to give him a little time to get used to the new place, the flies are small like a pen point their the Drosophila melanogaster kind.

 

[bldurbin]

Still no luck eating today, Im hoping tomorrow which will be day 5 will have progress

 

[ChameleonsByVanGogh]

give it time .

i use a ten gallon tank for 4 babies and i pack it full of fake plants and vines. so the flys have something to climb on so the babies can sneak around and merk em

 

[christineacero]

yeah I would try and fill that container with more vines and twigs. That's a much better size for the little guy! Don't fret. Some of my babies didn't eat for almost a week! He may also be eating a few just not in front of you. Sometimes it takes a while before you will see them eat. Have you found any poops yet? That would be a good indication on whether or not the little guy has eaten...

 

[Saldarya]

Start by using the Hydei FF, they can eat them and the size will really catch their eye. Secondly, how many FF are you putting in the tub? Id suggest a screen top to that and load up the FF. They cant hurt him and you want him to have food all around him.

 

[mindowzzz]

I would put him in a smaller tub for sure at least for a one day. Put like 5-7 pinheads and see what happens. He might be shy at first, but if he is hungry, you will see crickets disappearing. As soon as he knows what they taste like, I am sure he will be able to find them in a bigger tub. Good luck

 

[junglefries]

Use the hydei and a couple pinheads at same time. Flies will move around more from middle to top, while crix will mostly stay at bottom. The fly movement will stimulate the feeding instinct. It make take up to 8 days for your cham to eat. Usually, it is 3-5 days. Emphasis on the more average 5 days. Just keep him/her hydrated, and all will be well.

 

[laurie]

Start by using the Hydei FF, they can eat them and the size will really catch their eye. Secondly, how many FF are you putting in the tub? Id suggest a screen top to that and load up the FF. They cant hurt him and you want him to have food all around him.

This is also how I feed babies! Just putting in a few does not give him enough prey to find and eat.

Where in MO are you? My sister is there and has baby jacksons, maybe she could help with other small foods. She has tons of pinhead crickets.