Baby Chameleons Hatching! No food!

[bongrod269]

My veiled chameleon eggs started to hatch Thanksgiving night and it was completely unexpected. I thought they had another 2 months to go! 15 have already hatched and 2 more about every hour or so. The problem is I don't have any food for them! I cant get crickets till Tuesday because it is the weekend and no one ships. I went to petsmart and got the smallest crickets i could get but they are still a little to big. I cut up a couple of oranges hoping to get some fruit flies. They seem scared of the crickets and keep running away. I am afraid they are going to starve! Please help!

 

[Courtney]

Google ben siegels reptiles in deerfield beach and underground reptiles give them a call they might be able to over night you something also julirs is in your area she may be able to help you out

 

[Syn]

Google ben siegels reptiles in deerfield beach and underground reptiles give them a call they might be able to over night you something

That doesn't mean they will get it tomorrow, it's Friday and the post office doesn't ship overnight to Saturday, unless Mr. Siegels is moving the crickets himself.

 

[laurie]

PM Jurlis, for the right deal she will most likely help you. She has Brev's so she will have some small food items. You may need to replace hers soon as I have no idea of the supply she keeps.

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

Petco and petsmart normally have fruit fly cultures for purchase. Almost always. You may have to ask for them. I have used them in the past in emergencies. You could pick up several of those.

 

[eisentrauti]

What did happen that they hatch so early ? Did you incubate them with too high temperatures ?

 

[bongrod269]

No it has been 8 months and i just started to see veins about 2 months ago. Thats why i am suppriesed becuase they developed so fast. They have been in 80-85 at the max constant with droping to the 70's at night.

 

[ijmccollum]

gesang is right. PetsMart and PetCo generally have FF -- though different species. You might want to call and check that they do have them in stock before you go. We had to do emergency travel 40 mi south because the one pet store in our valley didn't have any at the time. They can be costly through that venue but you will need to grab a couple jars anway. Be sure to start cultures ASAP because you are going to need them. Good luck.

 

[bongrod269]

Some of them are starting to curl up and turn black. Im not sure why they are doing this but when i walk away and come back they have there eyes open. Could they just be very frightened ?

 

[Syn]

Have you called petsmart or petco yet and asked for fruitflies?

 

[bongrod269]

I just put some fruit flies in (about 20) there are now 5 black and curled up. Im starting to freak out. Can anyone tell me if this is normal?

 

[ijmccollum]

I wish I could help but I can't. I have not kept veileds. The baby jackson's we had were naturally dark till the ligts went out and they went to sleep. Then they went olive green. Day time and back to dark with patterns. I would hazard to guess that yours are showing stress colors. As long as they will move about, eat, drink, I would think they are okay and just need to be left in their optimum environment. But seriously, you need some advise from veiled keepers.

 

[Syn]

Might be time to take a couple pictures if you can do so without stressing them out too badly. I've never personally hatched any babies out, but could a day without food be bad, or do they have any of the egg sac attached/in their stomach?

 

[kylerenz]

What are you currently keeping the hatchlings in? They could be stressed or they could be really dark because they want to absorb more heat. It would be helpful to know what husbandry technique you are using.

 

[jojackson]

A few days without food if unavoidable wont hurt them. Having (hopefully) fully absorbed the yolk they will be nourished and unlikely to eat immediately anyway.
Let them recover in the incubator overnight (provide some air).

 

[Julirs]

Don't panic-mine did not eat for the first 2-3 days after hatching. They will turn dark and curl if they are frightened. Call Lazy H Bait first-if he has not mailed today he could have pins to you tomorrow. If he cannot get you some, call Herp Hobby Shop in Oldsmar and see what they have. I have some I can sell you that will last you a day or two.

 

[ciafardo 4]

I totally agree with jojackson and Juli they will be fine just keep them well misted they won't starve to death in a couple days . All that will happen is you'll get a really strong feeding response from them.

 

[bongrod269]

Here are some pictures of there cage. I moved the black ones to a seperate area and covered it with a paper towel. They become active for about an hour then get stressed again. I mist them about every 35 min. Julirs I gave you a called and left a voicemail if you were wondering who that was.

 

[Julirs]

My phone is in the car. Those guys still have yolk-so they won't be eating yet.

 

[slowfoot]

Give them many more tiny branches and twigs to climb on - their little feet should be able to grip them - and they'll feel more secure. Also, more plant cover is necessary because you will have to mist them for water and they will drink off of leaves and branches. They don't need that ceramic fountain or whatever that is in there.

I kept my babies in tubs or 10 gallon aquariums with paper towel substrate and just changed it when it got dirty or too damp. Good luck!