overfed or just right?

FutureVet · Valued Member Joined: Dec 11, 2004 Posts: 109 Location: CA

hey,

Tessa seems to be eating a lot lately. I know I've read to feed as much as they will eat, but Tessa seems to be going overboard on this. lol She is getting 2 hopper mice a week (eats both in 1 feeding) and I want to start to do this twice a week. Also, today she ate 30 crickets and 3 superworms no problem at all, she was still hunting afterwards for more! The other day she ate 20 crickets, 4 mealworms and 12 superworms, then I cut her off because I thought that was plenty of food.

I know they all eat different amounts and grow at different rates, but can someone tell me if this seems normal? I'm just a little worried! Thanks!

~Christie

tegu_girl0 · Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 9:28 pm Post subject:

how old are you do you have a job cus you probably need to feed her a large fuzzy or a hopper evrey other day or evrey 3 days thats wat gonzo eats and shes not as big as urs. (15 inches)
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0.2.0 German Shepherds *Khoda* & *Keara*
0.0.1 Ball python *Akua*
0.0.1 normal corn *seismo*
0.0.1 snow corn *sleet*

FutureVet · Valued Member Joined: Dec 11, 2004 Posts: 109 Location: CA

Right now she's eating 2 hoppers at a time when I feed. I'm going to start doing this twice a week, so she'll be eating 4 mice a week now, which I thought would be plenty. I've heard too many mice isn't healthy, but whatever. All those mice along with all the crickets and worms she eats seems a bit much. I don't want to overfeed her and have her become obese or something like that.

Also, I'll be 17 in about 2 1/2 weeks, I can afford the food for my reptiles.

John · Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 10:38 pm Post subject: I wouldn't worry...

It's usually the adults you have to worry about becomming obese. Babies are growing at a rapid rate so it's ok to feed more. Mr. Magoo was right at 2ft maybe a little larger and he was feeding on 4 adult mice every other day. My albinos are going to be put on 2 hoppers every other day. So far they won't look at roaches or crickets. It's Turkey and mice...nothing else interests them!
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John Light
http://www.jlexotics.com/

FutureVet · Valued Member Joined: Dec 11, 2004 Posts: 109 Location: CA

Thanks John! I guess I'm just worried about the little girl! heh But yeah you're right, she's growing, I'll worry about the food problem when she's older. Off to the store tomorrow to buy more mice! ~Christie

Rick · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 8:28 am Post subject:

If you feel Tessas belly lightly before eating you can feel that its pretty empty. What I do is let mine eat it's fill, but ocassionally when the 'loose' skin around the midsection starts to firm up I have a good idea Tux is about done. Feeling his belly at this point he feels like a full water balloon. A lot of it is a matter of getting to know your individual tegu. I feed tux a big meaty meal every night. He is 21 inches (last measurement) and he can eat a couple live hoppers a night, but generally I give him hoppers one night, crickets or superworms the next, etc. (I am just now starting to add ground turkey to his diet)

I tried 99% low fat, ground turkey last night for the first time. This was a few minutes after Tux ate a live hopper. I was suprized that he ate his fill of turkey and walked away. This is the FIRST time I saw him eat something and walk away before it was gone. I don't know if he was full or just decided after eating some that he didn't really care for it, but I will find out again this evening.

Rick
theTegu.com

James_James · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 10:24 am Post subject: feeding

Practiclly every adult Argentine that I've seen, has been obese. Something to consider,as an adult.