Tegu Depression?

Lizardguy13 · Member Joined: Aug 04, 2008 Posts: 22

Hey, I finally got my tegu from the pet store, the caretaker almost didnt want to let it go she has taken care of it for almost 4 months now. I expected it to take a while to get adjusted to its new settings. But ever since I've got it home it litterally climbed under a rock and hasnt moved a inch since to drink, or bask. Its been almost 14 hours now still it is laying motionless under it's rock. After about 8 hours I had to pick up the rock and poke it to make sure it was still alive. Is this normal? Do you think its just homesick or scared I guess I would be to if i was picked up from my home and thrown in a small box for an hour and dumped into a alien world. I've even left it alone in my room almost all day so he could be alone. Any ideas on how to make him feel at home? Or when he will come out. I havent feed him yet I was informed he already ate and he wouldnt wont to as soon as he was brought home, do you think a nice fresh pinkie or dobia would welcome him home or atleast make him come out.

angelrose · Moderator Joined: Jan 05, 2008 Posts: 1467

Hi Lizardguy13, it's not unusual. what kind of tegu and size ? I would just go through the check list for now and make sure....

UVA & UVB
90 - 110 basking end --- 70 on the cool side with a moist hide box
humidity - 70%
large enough water bowl for him to be able to take a dip.

I also would get timers for the lights/heat to go on and off at the same time everyday so they get used to a schedule.

do you know what the tegu was being fed at the pet store ?

Lizardguy13 · Member Joined: Aug 04, 2008 Posts: 22

He is a 9-12 inch long, 5 month old blk/wht arg. tegu and to my understanding he grew attatched to his caretaker at the pet store which raised him since he was a hatchling. Yes I have all that I spent 2 weeks sitting up the tanks and researching on it before i got him. He doesnt have a hide box though, but at the pet store he just would sleep under the soft cypress mulch and he was happy so I didnt see a need to introduce him to a hide box he seems found of just sleeping under the rock i put in the tank for him to bask on, but as I said my concern is from the time I got him hes all he has done is sleep Its been 18 hours now and all he has done is hide under his rock and sleep. Is that normal, for him to be in his new enviroment? Is there any way I could of put him into an induced hibernation?

angelrose · Moderator Joined: Jan 05, 2008 Posts: 1467

personally, I would reccomend a moist hide box on the cool end not only is it good for shedding purposes but it is their 'safety'. you don't want him to be stressed.

I would not suggest leaving any 'bugs' in their with him for obvious reasons. that could cause stress also. if you want perhaps you can place a small amount of raw chicken or turkey (something smelly) in a bowl to lure him out. I'm not in favor of feeding inside the enclosure. I think it is soon. try the hide that way he can watch you on his terms. go in there and give fresh water. give him a little while and let us know.

Alek · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:10 pm Post subject:

Do you have pictures of the tegu so we can see it may have a parasite.
Unless the previous owner had the tegu day and night in there arms I wouldn't see an attachment problem. Also what are the temps of the enclosure and are you going to make the tegu your pet if so you need to take the reptile out and start handling, so it can get use to you and Also reptiles do need about 24 hours to one week to adapt to its new environment. If you have any more questions don't hesitate to pm me.

laurarfl · Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:39 am Post subject:

Aww, it's probably just scared. You've had for a day, right? It could take a few days for it to settle in. I'd give it some time to get used to its new surroundings.
_________________
Laura R (FL)
0.1.0 Colombian Tegu
0.2.0 Argentine B&W Tegu
1.0.0 Red Tegu
1.0.0 Green Amevia (yet another teiid)
8 other lizards
1 little gator
13 snakes
4 frogs
some bugs
and a partridge in a pear tree

greentriple · Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:43 am Post subject:

A tegu can take 2 or more weeks to adjust, yes at times less. Offer good, don't pester and wait for him to start coming out on his own, they are curious and you'll be rewareded the less you "bother" it and the more you let it set it's initial parameters. Remember you're still a giant tegu eating beast to it...
_________________
1.0.0 B&W
0.0.1 CA Horned Lizard
0.0.1 Savannah Monitors
2.0.0 Cats
0.1.0 Wife
1.0.0 Child

worldeater · Respected Member Joined: Mar 06, 2008 Posts: 585

yea, offer up a small bowl full of kingworms, a big bowl of water, and leave him alone for a few days. maybe cover the tank with a towel to reduce outside stimuli, after that the taming can begin!
_________________
1.1.0 Arg B/W Tegu Joker n Groxy
1.0.0 Australian Water Dragon "Spyro"
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider "Turdy"
0.1.0 White Dwarf Hamster "MiMi"
1.1.0 Black&Albino Kingsnakes "Pearl & Hannibal"

Lizardguy13 · Member Joined: Aug 04, 2008 Posts: 22

Ok thanks for the help, I have several pics but I cant find a USB cord so they'll have to wait. But I figured he would take a while to adjust, but he hasnt moved in close to 30 hours straigt now! Is that normal? I think he may of went into hibernation!? All I see is his tail sticking out of the ground and it hasnt moved. I've checked on him every hour and hes never came out. I'm about ready to feed him for the 1st time soon I'm hoping a dozen juicy crickets will wake him up (It's all the feed him at the pet store)

Bill_S · Member Joined: Dec 10, 2004 Posts: 56

That's very normal. He's a little guy thrust into a strange new world.

When I first got my Arg. he did the same thing. Then he'd come out to bask but bolted into hiding if he saw me enter the room.

After not too long he lost all fear.

I'd recommend a moist hide box that he can feel cozy in. Not too big or too high--it's HIS hide and shouldn't be large enough for a predator to enter.

The hide box will, of course, grow along with him.

You can place a dish with a f/t dusted pinky or two in it and see if they disappear when you're not around. I liked dusting pinkies/fuzzies/superworms with Miner-All indoor formula.

Bill