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Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:09 am Post subject: Lizards as 'look pets'
My Columbians came to me rather feisty and I've not done anything about it. They get fed in their enclosure. I do not take them out and pet them, unlike my Argentine; they are 'look pets' rather than pets to be handled.
They seem perfectly satisfied with this arrangement and because their relatively limited size it is not a problem for me to restrain them and put them in the bathtub temporarily at cage cleaning time.
My point is that not every lizard has to be tamed in order to make a satisfactory pet.
To me, Argentines are in a different class because of their greater ultimate size and I believe that one should avoid forming a connection in their minds between fingers and food, and also one should if possible try to handle them at least several times a week so that they do not become skittish and hostile.
I think this is particularly true of some of the Argentines being marketed as 'Giants' since a giant lizard can do a significant amount of damage if they do decide to attack either for food or from hostility.
A tame tegu is a joy and can 'hang out' with its owner and actually some of them seem to form a bond, but it takes time and thought and handling to have a great lizard like that.
My Columbians are good 'look pets' but my Argentine is going to be one who can be handled, I hope.
Joined: Jan 05, 2008 Posts: 1219 Location: pennsylvania
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:32 am Post subject:
I understand what you are saying. presently, my colombian is a whole lot better trained then my argentines.
imo, you just have to give the colombians more patience is all. I also believe nasty can come in any lizard as well as good. _________________ 0.1.0 B/W Colombian tegu
1.1.0 Gold Colombian tegus
1.1.0 B/W Argentine tegus
1.0.0 Savy monitor
1.0.0 Brazillian Rainbow boa
1.1.0 Ball pythons
1.0.0 Burmese python
Joined: Dec 18, 2007 Posts: 873 Location: Eddington, Maine
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:55 am Post subject:
my colombian is the tame one. my arg. is a jerk he will bite anything that moves. she wont tho _________________ 0.1.0 Colombian Tegu
1.0.0 Arg. Tegu
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.1.0 Royal Python
1.0.0 Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Kingsnake
0.0.1 Painted Turtle
0.1.1 Spotted Pythons
1.2.0 Tokay Geckos
2.4.0 Leopard Geckos
Yeah, each critter has its own personality. In fact, some people find that a critter will be tame for one person, but not another, even in the same household.
Last edited by Lucille on Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:46 pm, edited 1 time in total
Joined: Dec 22, 2007 Posts: 126 Location: Southern Missouri
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject:
My male leopard gecko would feast on my flesh if he were big enough. He is one of the most aggressive lizards I have ever seen, and I've seen my share of lizards. But my african rock python is as tame as a puppy, which is unusual. _________________ 1.0 African Rock Python
0.1 Savu Python
1.2 Cornsnakes
0.0.1 Diadem Ratsnake
0.0.1 California Kingsnake
0.0.1 Argentine b/w tegu
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon
2.1 leopard Geckos
0.1 wife
1.1 Children
Joined: Dec 22, 2007 Posts: 126 Location: Southern Missouri
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:10 pm Post subject:
My other two leos are very tame. My 5 year old handles them almost daily. But jack is a lizard of a different color. He also has two tales, so maybe he's just a little insecure . _________________ 1.0 African Rock Python
0.1 Savu Python
1.2 Cornsnakes
0.0.1 Diadem Ratsnake
0.0.1 California Kingsnake
0.0.1 Argentine b/w tegu
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon
2.1 leopard Geckos
0.1 wife
1.1 Children
yea, my water dragon would murder me in my sleep if he could. he's high strung like a tight wire, allways a moment away from exploding into blindingly fast motion. but my tegu is like a dog, well behaved and relaxed he's funny, cause he doesn't like it if i pet him soft anymore, he wants a good scratch.
i'd consider my waterdragon a "look" pet, he doesn't want to be held, he's happy with me just taking care of him with no phisical contact, and i'm happy cause i get to watch all his acrobatic performances which are common and quite amazing.
Joined: Dec 22, 2007 Posts: 126 Location: Southern Missouri
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:56 pm Post subject:
It is a tail regeneration gone wrong. He was about 2 years old when I got him. He has one complete tail, and another smaller coming off the right side of the full tail. His name is jack two-tails, but I call him jack the ripper. _________________ 1.0 African Rock Python
0.1 Savu Python
1.2 Cornsnakes
0.0.1 Diadem Ratsnake
0.0.1 California Kingsnake
0.0.1 Argentine b/w tegu
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon
2.1 leopard Geckos
0.1 wife
1.1 Children
Joined: Dec 22, 2007 Posts: 126 Location: Southern Missouri
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:45 pm Post subject:
I have never been able to get any pics up on thetegu. for some reason my server isn't recognized or something. I might have some on my myspace.
www.myspace.com/venomousdave
I'll go there and check............... _________________ 1.0 African Rock Python
0.1 Savu Python
1.2 Cornsnakes
0.0.1 Diadem Ratsnake
0.0.1 California Kingsnake
0.0.1 Argentine b/w tegu
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon
2.1 leopard Geckos
0.1 wife
1.1 Children
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