Unexpected Crested Gecko eggs hatched!? Are the hatchlings okay?

Moss · #1 09-10-2011, 08:53 PM

Well about 3 months ago I bought my very first Crested Gecko (a male) who I love to pieces, then about 1 month ago while digging through his substrate (He came with his enclosure, substrate included) and I stumbled across two little eggs! They both looked in good condition and I didn't have the heart to throw them out so I contacted the seller and she confirmed there was a female with him. So without expecting anything to come from it I incubated them and lo and behold! BOTH of them hatched!

But part of the problem is I don't know how long they were in the incubator. I really wasn't expecting them too hatch, but I know it was less than 24 hours. I rushed them out into a temporary set up and gave them a good misting, then today I purchased a more permanent set up. I have misted them again this morning and this afternoon as I think they were dehydrated after being in the incubator for an unknown amount of time.

But now to the hatchlings. The smaller of the two doesn't seem to move much, but I will see him wiggle around when I mist him and I have seen him scamper and leap around, but mostly he remains still and he seems to stay in the same spot or very close to it.
But the bigger one concerns me very much. I have only seen it move minimally and it never seems to leave its spot. It looks rather limp and when I mist it, it will only twitch at the most. Also when it did move once, both of its front legs are trailed behind it, and even when he stays still he doesn't hold himself up with his front legs.

What does everyone think? What should I do? I need some help, I have only had my first Crested Gecko for a few months and this is my first time dealing with hatchlings

Spyral · #2 09-11-2011, 06:48 AM

They could be a bit dehydrated from being in the incubator (depending on what substrate you used to hatch them on). You could try a "sauna" - fill a plastic container with a folded or scrunched up paper towel and a small amount of luke-warm (not too hot) water, and then add one gecko at a time for about 15-20 minutes. This will help rehydate them.

What are you feeding? Hatchling problems can occur if the mom didn't get the right food, so you should be feeding Repashy Crested Gecko Diet for best results.

When did they hatch? They might seem a little bit "lazy" right from the egg, but should perk up and shed within a few days. They can go a week without eating, living off of the energy stored up in the egg yolk.

The rest of their care is just like adults, but keep them on paper towel only until they are around 10 grams or so. They can dehydrate much more quickly than an adult, but you don't want to overdo the humidity which can cause its own set of problems.

Good luck!

Moss · #3 09-11-2011, 02:49 PM

Thanks for the reply!

They were incubated on vermiculite. But I think the sauna picked them up a bit! They both seem equally active now, I see them flipping and flopping about once in a while. Are they normally uncoordinated for the first few days? I sometimes find one of them laying on their side or back and it scares the poop out of me! But they upright themselves with a little prompting.

And yes, the mother and father was/ is on CGD and I plan on feeding the hatchlings that too. I placed a little bit on their noses just to get them used to the taste but I don't think they have tried going to the dish yet.

They hatched some time on September 9th. So I suppose that is why they are being rather pokey and tipsy. I am a very paranoid parent x_x

Sounds good, I already have them on paper towel with some fake vines and leafy plants in a kritter keeper.

One new development though... when I was doing the sauna the first one went fine and the second one started out fine too... then when I was putting it back the hatchling dropped its tail!

This doesn't bother me, but I am wondering if it will effect the hatchling at all. I am certain I picked the hatchling up and moved it correctly, I guess that one just stressed easier.

Spyral · #4 09-12-2011, 05:55 PM

Nope, he'll learn to get around with out it. Just be a little MORE clumsy for a while!

Moss · #5 09-12-2011, 06:52 PM

Hahah ok, good to know

Is it normal to find the hatchlings laying on their backs? It gives me such a scare whenever I find them like that!

Spyral · #6 09-13-2011, 08:35 PM

I actually have never seen mine sleep on their backs unless they are clinging to something above them (paper towel, foliage, etc). But if they seem healthy when they are awake, they should be fine. Maybe you just have some weirdos.

Moss · #7 09-14-2011, 12:07 AM

That is what I thought too, but then the one that lost its tail died

I think the other one is going downhill too, he is acting like the other one did beforehe died. He was fairly active today but now I can barely get any reaction from it. It doesn't move when I mist or touch it and overall he looks lethargic and sickly. He also has loads of tiny black specks on his belly like the other one did, and I am not sure if they are markings or something else.

PassPort · #8 09-14-2011, 01:49 AM

What are your temps (in F if possible)? Sounds like they might have gotten too hot, either during incubation or in their cage. I'm sorry to hear about the one that passed :/

Spyral · #9 09-14-2011, 02:01 PM

Sorry about your loss. Not every hatchling or clutch is destined to make it.

Moss · #10 09-14-2011, 02:54 PM

I kept them 70-74f during incubation and after.

Thanks for the condolences though.
The other one passed away sometime during the night.

I am baffled to what happened. I thought I was doing everything right, but from the beginning they were lethargic and would never really leap around or skitter away even when you touched or misted them. Also they never climbed at all, they always stayed on the floor of the Kritter Keeper.

I don't know what went wrong