When Nature Has Other Plans: Losing Our Uromastyx Hatchling

When Nature Has Other Plans: Saying Goodbye to Baloo

At Kiley’s Kritters, we’ve always promised to share our reptile journey—the good, the goofy, and yes, even the hard. Today, we’re writing one of those harder posts. We’re sad to share that Baloo, our sweet little Uromastyx Geyri hatchling, passed away this weekend. After nearly two months of giving, it our all—hand-feeding, electrolyte boosts, extra warmth, extra care—Baloo’s tiny light faded. It’s a tough one to write, but if we’ve learned anything on this adventure, it’s that transparency matters. Raising reptiles (and really, raising any animals) comes with incredible highs… and sometimes heartbreaking lows.

Not Every Hatchling Makes It—And That’s Nature -

From the very beginning, Baloo was different. This one hatched a little later, moved a little slower, and struggled to eat without encouragement. We threw every idea we could at the challenge: Pedialyte, hand-feeding, a private enclosure, even AI-guided research sessions to try to give it the best chance possible. And for a while, it seemed like the little one was turning a corner. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, nature simply takes a different path.

It’s a hard reality in the reptile world: not every hatchling makes it, just like not every sea turtle hatchling reaches the ocean, or every snake baby survives its first few days. In the wild, many don’t make it to adulthood—but each one is still worth rooting for. Baloo may not have made it far but made it out of the egg – albeit last; and for a little while, the little one was deeply loved. As are its surviving hatchlings, one by one, they sure will be tough to part with.

A Quick Note on Care Decisions -

Some readers might wonder if we considered a vet visit for Baloo—and the honest answer is yes, we did. But like many small reptile keepers, we had to weigh our options. Veterinary care for exotic animals is expensive and not always readily available, and in Baloo’s case, we truly believed it was turning a corner. When signs pointed to a deeper digestive issue in the final days, we had a hard but very real conversation about what was best—for Baloo, and for us. Ultimately, nature made the final call.

We share this not to spark debate, but to show the full picture of the decisions reptile keepers face, especially with hatchlings. These moments are never easy, and each one teaches us something new.

The Keeper of the Rainbow Bridge -

Baloo’s passing marks a bittersweet milestone for us. Out of all the reptiles we keep and love, and the other hatchlings—Baloo is our first to cross the rainbow bridge. And in Kiley’s beautiful six-year-old wisdom, she’s decided Baloo’s new role is “keeper of the rainbow bridge for all our future reptiles.”

Maybe—just maybe—Baloo is there alongside Brian Barczyk, helping watch over all the kritters who’ve crossed before. It’s a comforting thought, and somehow makes the goodbye feel a little gentler.

In fact, Kiley’s already planning to dedicate our next Kiley’s Kritters children’s story to Baloo—an incredible idea that turned our family’s tears into smiles. What a gift, to see such empathy and hope from someone so young.

We’ll Keep Sharing, Every Step of the Way -

Losing Baloo hurts. But we share this story because it’s part of the journey—just as much as the hatching, the first meals, the silly chalk markings. We want anyone following along to see the full picture of reptile care: the joys, the lessons, and the heartbreaks.

Baloo’s story might have been short, but it mattered. And it will continue to matter, in every future hatchling we raise, every new adventure we share, and every little reader who picks up a Kiley’s Kritters book and learns to love reptiles alongside us.

Thanks for being part of this journey—with all its love, laughter, and learning.

Until next time,

The Kiley’s Kritters Family