Hobbies And Interests
Housing
All pet hatchlings should begin life in an environment at least partially controlled and protected from the interference of other animals and people. Whether filled with water or not, aquariums make excellent homes for hatchlings. Alternatively, you may use a plastic storage bins with ventilated holes made by a soldering iron. If your hatchlings are aquatic, like certain baby turtles, put a small amount of water in the container you're using. Generally speaking, it's better to have too little water than too much because the hatchlings can drown. Add more water as they age, and provide plenty of rocks or platforms where they can spend time outside the water. If using water, also invest in a filter and de-chlorinater because the hatchlings are sensitive to chemicals that humans place in water. For hatchlings like geckos and snakes, place a substrate like sand across the bottom of the container. Also, include at least one hiding place for each hatchling. Geckos also need a shallow water dish and a dish filled with calcium powder. Hatchling snakes need a shallow water dish and food tray.
Climate
Reptile hatchlings thrive in warm environments. Your hatchlings' home should be at least as warm as their natural environment; purchase a fish tank heater if necessary. If you purchase a heater, cover it with a platform blocked off around the base by rocks, so it's hidden from your hatchlings and won't be damaged by them. Another important element of any hatchling environment is a mixture of incandescent and fluorescent full-spectrum light with UVB rays. Use a 100-watt incandescent day light during the day and 75-watt black light at night time. Use the fluorescent light for around 12 hours each day. An alternative solution is to place your container in sunlight for about half the day. If your hatchlings begin to have puffy swollen eyes, this is a sign they are vitamin D-deficient and may need more UVB light.
Feeding
Feeding your hatchlings is an important element of care which differs with each type of reptile. For the first two weeks of life, hatchling turtles feed mainly off the yoke with which they're born. After that, you may introduce small worms and insects to their diet. Live worms and insects are best. As they grow, they may like some fruit and plant matter such as spinach. Some hatchling turtles may also eat pre-packaged pellets for sale at pet stores. Like turtles, hatchling geckos like meal worms and crickets. Coat the worms and crickets in calcium powder before feeding them to the lizards. Both calcium powder and water should also be available throughout the day for hatchling geckos. Hatchling snakes also need some water but probably feed on yoke for at least a week. Afterward, snakes primary feed on small mice. Choose mice about the same size in diameter as the snake. Offer living mice or thawed frozen mice. Always thaw mice completely before offering them to a snake. Place them in a shallow food dish for small snakes or offer them to the snake with a pair of tongs. Offer hatchling turtles and geckos food daily. However, do not be alarmed if they do not eat every day. Offer hatchling snakes a mouse a week and increase feedings slowly as the hatchlings grow. Monitor all hatchlings for signs of lethargy and contact a veterinarian if you become concerned.
Maintenance
Regularly clean your hatchlings' living space. For aquatic turtle hatchlings, change the water about three times a week and the filter about every three weeks. Add de-chlorinater to the water along with a tablespoon of salt per 2 to 5 gallons to prevent fungal infections. Baby turtles shed. Gently brush their shells with a soft toothbrush to help. Regularly cleanse water dishes for geckos and snakes.