Goldie Hatchlings

G

Goldie

New member
I've had two beautiful little gecko hatclings and they're looking really healthy :)
Only issue is... considering how long since they hatched (about 2 weeks) they still have shed-skin in the tops of their head. One also has a large piece of shell on his head, which is cute as hell, but I imagine it will be pretty irritating for him.

My concern is that having this skin is stopping them from eating because neither of them have eaten yet. Should I assist take it off or wait a little longer? I can't imagine how they would take it off themselves. (They have been actively ripping off the shed-skin from other more accessible places) :)

Any advice would be much appreciated :)

Thanks, Goldie xx
 
daggekko

daggekko

New member
Hey, Congrats on the hatchlings first off! I was just thinking the other day-I've never seen Golden Gecko hatchlings before! You should post some pictures of them.

I would try to help with the shed skin for sure. Be very gentle though. Most of the time the skin will peel off easily. Ever been sunburnt? Kindof like when you peel big pieces of your burned skin off!! Another thing you could try is putting them in a warm container with a wet towel for about 15 minutes. This could help moisten their skin more to help get it off.

What are you trying to feed them? Geckos will often eat their shed skin as well, so they might not be hungry because of this. 2 weeks is a long time though. How are the other living conditions for them(Temperature, enclosure size, humidity)?
 
G

Goldie

New member
Hey, thanks for the speedy reply :)

Yeah, I noticed they've been eating their shed skin... and there are plenty of droppings around their tanks (ive separated them to help observe feeding habits).
They're currently both in tubs which are approx 15cm length, 15cm Height and 8cm Across. They've been climbing on the sides all the way to the top, even when the sides are damp! They're impressive little things :)
I'm not 100% sure of the temp because I have a heat mat for them which heats the flooring, rather than the air... and I have it so that it only sits under half of their tanks.
Humidity is good, they are getting several sprays of room-temp water several times a day, and a few direct mistings to encourage skin-shedding and drinking. :)

They're currently on micro crickets... they're TINY. I think they're probably too small. Tomorrow I'm going to buy something a little bigger in hope that they see it more as food, rather than an annoying black dot running everywhere.

When a cricket goes near them, they both seem to cower away, as if they're scared. I'm hoping they'll stop this when their food is more obviously food...

I will take a picture when I get a chance, but there's one here of someone else's. They're stripey little dude's when they're hatchlings. :)
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...e-lined-etc/32295-hatchling-golden-gecko.html
(sorry if link doesn't work) :)

Goldie xx
 
daggekko

daggekko

New member
Hey, If you can get your hands on an infrared temp gun they are wonderful!

The link worked! Thanks!

Crickets-If they are acting scared of them you might have too many in the container with them. You might take the crickets out for a day and then put only a few in. If you can order 1 week old or 2 week old crickets they should be small enough for the geckos to enjoy! The 2 week might be too big if the supplier hasn't swapped their grow outs in the week. If your ordering I would try 2 week olds. My baby Phelsuma can eat the 1 week olds and they are much smaller than baby Gekko
 
G

Goldie

New member
Hey :)

Thanks for the advice :) Not sure how old the crickets are because I get them in the shop and they do it by size rather than age... but the ones I have my eye on seem about the right size (when compared against the size of the gecko's heads) Will have to wait and see :).

Just to let you know I managed to get the shell of his head :) The shed-skin was stuck down firm so i've left it for a few days and he'll be getting regular head-mistings :p
And I managed to get all the shed-skin off the head of the other one :) After gently peeling it off, the gecko stayed sat on my finger and started licking the water from its newly peeled face :)

Thanks again :D

Goldie xx
 
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