Tegu Size?

tegulove07 · Member Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Posts: 39

my tegu is about a foot long from his nose to the tip of his tail...is that about the right size for a 5-6 month old argentina B&W tegu? or should he be bigger by now?

ElliotJasChief · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:22 am Post subject:

From what I'm told, argentine growth rates are highly variable. However my argentine B&W was supposably about six months old when I got him and he was around 30" four months later he's now about 36"

Of course I can't verify his exact age - but based on his growth since I've had him, I think it's conceivable he was only six months old when I got him

_________________
Elliot

1.2.0 blues
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stano40 · Member Joined: May 02, 2005 Posts: 29

my red was about 3mos when we got him he was 12 in nose to tail 2 mos later he is 25 in.he eats like crazy.

tegulove07 · Member Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Posts: 39

so should i be a little worried since he's not growing much? could the problem be no uvb light? cuz it broke a month or two ago...and i had to order a new one and just got it...he also doesnt eat mice...i dont know if he doesnt like them, but he hardly eats anything...could the missing light be the problem for that too?

tegulevi · Respected Member Joined: Mar 10, 2005 Posts: 489

What do you mean he hardly eats anything. Can you give us an example of his weekly diet.

Mine is 7 months old and 30 inches

tegulove07 · Member Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Posts: 39

all he will eat is mealworms...and thats only if he's starving...i've tried giving him mice, eggs, cat food, crickets, gound chicken, and some turkey...but all he does is burrow under his hideout. monday was the first day he actually walked around his cage since i've got him. which was back in february. he's starting to do that a little more, but im still having trouble getting him to eat. any suggestions? and anything i can do to maybe get him growing?

tegulove07 · Member Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Posts: 39

here's what my poor baby looks like...he's 5 months...im really worried now...he's way to small from what you guys are saying (sry the pics are a little crappy...i took them with my picture cell phone) the paper towel was used for size comparison...

James · Member Joined: Mar 10, 2005 Posts: 14

there have been rare cases where tegu's don't grow like they are supposed to and stay small... can be compared to midgets if you wish... either way, if he is eating just continue to feed him and hopefully he will just have a late growth spurt... it happens at times. GOOD LUCK

tegulove07 · Member Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Posts: 39

but he's not eating...the only time he eats is if i stick it in front of him and wait for him to take it....and he rarely goes into his pool thing...he just hides most of the day....is the lack of a uvb light the problem?

VARNYARD · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 1:36 am Post subject: tegu

I will try to help you. Your tegu needs to see a vet. looking at the pics of him he is gaunted, and very thin. I cannot tell you what is exactly wrong with him, but he needs to see a vet ASAP. The best way to tell he is sick is judging by his thin tail, and general appearance he is sick, and it is going to take more than a little bit of meal worms to get him well. Another way to tell, is tegus have good appitites, if he is not feeding it is a good sign he is sick. As for Uv lighting, it is important for them to have, but this is not your tegus whole problem.
Here is a link that gives you herp vets all over the country, and Canada, and some over seas. click on this link scroll down the first page until you see your state. A regular vet might be able to help you, but a herp vet will help you alot more, as they only work with reptiles. please let me know if he gets better. Here is the link:
http://www.herpvetconnection.com/

Brisamen · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 4:22 am Post subject:

I think the common problem of a tegu not eating is if the heathing isnt as high as it should be.
This little guy is way to little and really thin.
If you can't find the problem in your set up or diet its got to be a problem in the tegu itself. So I sugest strongly to do like Varnyard says and get this littly guy to a vet.
Reptiles aren't the same as mammals etc. They do not die within 3 weeks of no food. They die slowley..
So let him be checked out. Oh btw: does it produce any poo? Take some with you to the vet!
_________________
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tegulove07 · Member Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Posts: 39

ok..i will make an appointment for him today...thanks guys!

VARNYARD · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:35 am Post subject: sick tegu

Keep us posted, and let us know what the vet says.
If we can help more feel free to ask.

tegulove07 · Member Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Posts: 39

he has an appointment in a week, i went out and bought a uvb light bulb so thats goin in the cage tomorrow morning...and i bought some supplement stuff to maybe help a little...its supposed to hydrate him and give him the vitamins he's lackin...
i hope he gets better soon...i dont wanna lose him!

VARNYARD · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:35 pm Post subject: Sick little guy

tegulove07, You are doing the right thing, sometimes they need a little more help than we can give them. As for Him getting well, I wish you the best with him. Please keep us posted.