Hatchling substrate at stage of seperation and first feeding

[T_Sauer]

The Clutch of 6 hatched out on 2/29, all have shed in the past two days with the exception of one. After the last sheds I am going to separate them into there own tubs, give them two days and then offer their first feeding. I am having and inner debate on the substrate to use in their individual Hatchling tubs, I keep my entire collection on laboratory grade aspen, but I am unsure if I should put them on aspen when I separate them and feed on the aspen or if I should continue to keep them on paper towel until they get the first couple feedings in and then switch them to the aspen at a later point.

So I was curious as to if others feed their hatchlings on loose substrate (such as aspen shavings) without issue and if not, then at which point to switch over to the loose substrate?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

For the past couple of years I have kept my hatchlings exclusively one harlan shredded aspen and all animals are fed in their enclosure without any issue.

[T_Sauer]

For the past couple of years I have kept my hatchlings exclusively one harlan shredded aspen and all animals are fed in their enclosure without any issue.

Excellent, that's exactly what I use .... I was just looking for confirmation from someone with more experience dealing with hatchlings than myself ... I love the laboratory grade aspen ... I've had an adult snake miss on the first strike and get a mouthful of the stuff and then make an accurate second strike before I could intervene and swallowed the aspen with the feeder. I was worried sick! .... The shredded aspen passed thru fine and never caused an issue ... That proved it's weight in gold to me I just wanted to be sure dealing with hatchlings as its my first clutch

Thanks, Deborah

[Albert Clark]

Hey T! What I did was use dry regular bounty brand paper towel (love the softness and absorbency). Then I added a half cup of cypress mulch to the tub. But the most important thing I have learned is to have the tightest fitting hide that's possible. That security is a big issue with hatchlings. Two of the tightest hides is even better. Just keep an eye on the humidity percentage with the cypress mulch bc it will go high in a 6qt tub. Then you have to adjust the amount of cypress mulch in the tub.

[T_Sauer]

Hey T! What I did was use dry regular bounty brand paper towel (love the softness and absorbency). Then I added a half cup of cypress mulch to the tub. But the most important thing I have learned is to have the tightest fitting hide that's possible. That security is a big issue with hatchlings. Two of the tightest hides is even better. Just keep an eye on the humidity percentage with the cypress mulch bc it will go high in a 6qt tub. Then you have to adjust the amount of cypress mulch in the tub.

Thanks Albert, I stay away from the cypress mulch, not because of any bad experiences but more or a personal thing ... I like the paper towel under the substrate thought tho ... I may have to utilize and maybe tweak that idea .... I'm wondering if it could also work to the opposite effect that you were talking about in your application .... If I dampen it and then put it on the bottom of the tub and then add my dry substrate on top, it could possibly help keep the hatching tubs humidity up a bit for the first week or so while they adjust to the aspen from moist paper towels

[Albert Clark]

Thanks Albert, I stay away from the cypress mulch, not because of any bad experiences but more or a personal thing ... I like the paper towel under the substrate thought tho ... I may have to utilize and maybe tweak that idea .... I'm wondering if it could also work to the opposite effect that you were talking about in your application .... If I dampen it and then put it on the bottom of the tub and then add my dry substrate on top, it could possibly help keep the hatching tubs humidity up a bit for the first week or so while they adjust to the aspen from moist paper towels

Cool. Understood. But yeah, that does sound like a plan doing it the opposite way as well. Even dampening only half or one quarter of the paper towel covering the substrate. That way you can monitor the humidity percent and see which way you have to go with it. I think I will try that here with my crew. Lol.