babies not eating

[sharkey]

my jackson's babies are not eating. i'm giving fruit flies but the babies stay at the top of the branches and the flies jump to the floor. i have biovine wound around the plant pots; touching both the ground and the plants. what do i do? the babies are 1 day old - have 10 total (all survived thru the night

the mommy is eating - but she is skin and bones, still dark in color:confused

 

[Ren]

I know with veiled babies it can take a couple of days before they eat due to the egg sack. With Jacksons I really don't know..you are doing right with fruit flies, maybe if you can catch some gnats or tiny moths maybe more stimulation will get them to eat?

 

[Julirs]

How large a container do you have babies in? They may need somethimg smaller making it easier for the flies to crawl up near them. From what I have read, Jackson babies need to be kept a little cooler and they should eat like crazy as babies.

 

[Edward Kim]

Try concentrating the fruit flies in a feeder cup and throw in a piece of fruit to keep them there.

 

[sharkey]

they are in 2 enclosures;
12X13X30 and 17X17X30 should they be in smaller ones?

i have 5 in each.

i finally saw one trying to catch a fly but it missed.

put a piece of banana in a gatorade lid to try to concentrate the flies.

some babies are rail thin. all but one very dark

 

[Julirs]

Those are huge cages. Hopefully the experts will add here, but I would think they need something more like 12X12X20 for now.

 

[dodolah]

they are in 2 enclosures;
12X13X30 and 17X17X30 should they be in smaller ones?

i have 5 in each.

i finally saw one trying to catch a fly but it missed.

put a piece of banana in a gatorade lid to try to concentrate the flies.

some babies are rail thin. all but one very dark

smaller cages for sure!
and they seem to be pretty hungry and stressed.
my suggestion is change the enclosure immediately.
And you should take a breather and relax a bit.
Try to enjoy this surprise a bit (it's hard, i know).

Later when the baby and the mom survive the critical condition, you'll be happy knowing that now you have 6 chams!
Plus, you can always sell or give the one that you don't want to keep.

Keep your chin up! I know you will be able to take care of them.
Seem to me that you are a very responsible 'parent' for these babies

 

[sharkey]

am shrinking the enclosures now (except for the mommy - she got a new, huge, 100 gal one yesterday).

new Q; i have the compact top, repti glo 5.0 uvb for each enclosure sitting on the top. is that too strong for the babies? they crawl up the screening to sit under it so i am constantly moving it. i read about blindness but can't find the thread now to check....

thanks sooooooooooooo much - i really need mentored here! and a little more sleep wouldn't hurt

 

[PardalisGirl]

Babies...

Don't use compact UVB lights on ANYTHING. Especially babies. These lights are the ones that have been killing chameleons. If that is what you are using turn them off IMMEDIATELY. It is better to have no light than those lights. Return them or throw them away. Only use tube type flourescent lights. One 5.0 tube light is enough. You can put one tube light in a hood and put it across both cages. The smaller cages are the way to go. They should not be more than about 18" to 20" tall at this point. Keep them hydrated by misting several times a day. What a stressful little surprise you got! It's going to be a hard week but once they get into eating well you should be able to relax and enjoy them. Keep us posted

 

[Ren]

would love to see pictures of the little ones,... Jacksons have always been one of my favorites..

 

[Julirs]

Oh please get the compacts off of them. They will be OK without UVB for a few days. If you are having trouble finding little crix-let me know-I live close and have some pin heads here.

 

[TreelionsUK]

Agreed Compacts are KACK!! get rid of them!!

If you know anyone breeding lobster roaches grab some babies my babys go nuts for them and the roaches also scale the walls of the vivs attracting the chameleons attention.

I would also opt for smaller vivs 12x12x18 would be ideal.

Good luck,I hope they all do well

 

[sharkey]

removed the uvb and have them in a smaller enclosure.

have 1/8 crix and more f.flies being shipped/arrive tomorrow i was told from big apple. if they don't arrive,julirs, i'll let you know - thanks for the offer!

will put up pix once i figure out how....

 

[leoman]

Why?

why cant you use the compact UVB lights i use them and my girl is doing fine.

 

[Ren]

May be doing ok now but do you want to wait and see it go bad and really quick? Better safe than sorry get rid of them!!!

 

[ChameleonsTree]

why cant you use the compact UVB lights i use them and my girl is doing fine.

There have been some recent reports that they are dangerous

 

[ChameleonsTree]

they are in 2 enclosures;
12X13X30 and 17X17X30 should they be in smaller ones?

i have 5 in each.

i finally saw one trying to catch a fly but it missed.

put a piece of banana in a gatorade lid to try to concentrate the flies.

some babies are rail thin. all but one very dark

Personally i would put them in 2 10 gal aquiariums. I would also make sure there is a lot of food cause there will be one or two piggies who like to gorge and then the others wont get any. Their eyes are very delicate at this age so be careful with the misting.

 

[sharkey]

my first attempt at pix fails - i can't seem to upload pix

 

[Julirs]

Upload to Photobucket and then copy and paste the IMG line.