Umbilical cord issue

[Roni]

I've read that I shouldn't worry about the umbilical cord still being attached and that it will dry up and fall off eventually. But I've also read that it should be tied off. Does this one look like it needs to be tied? It's not bleeding, and it looks dryer than it looked yesterday. She's seven days old now.

Also, we were told to put a damp paper towel in part of the enclosure, but I've been reading on the forums that she should be "kept" on damp paper towels. She doesn't stay on the paper towel in this enclosure. Do we need to separate her from the others and put her in something just with paper towels?

Thanks! (I don't know how to embed the pics, but you can click on the link over on the left where it says Images: 2). Click on the "2" to see the pictures.

[wolfy-hound]

I would put her on JUST damp paper towels(I keep all my hatchlings on just damp paper towels until they shed the first time).

I wouldn't worry about tying off the stump unless it's weeping blood. If it's drying up, just keep her on the paper towels and watch it.

I had a couple with umbilical stumps that fell off after a few days without issue. Good luck.

[J.Vandegrift]

You really do need o get it on paper towels. Pretty much all babies should go on paper towels to start but especially ones with the umbilicus still attached.