hemipenes/agression!

cycomiss · Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 10:37 pm Post subject: hemipenes/agression!

Every time my 1.5 yr old Colombian "relieves himself" he secretes a white stringy substance. He has been doing this for about 6 months or so... and I have been unable to find literature about Tegu puberty. Does this mean that my little buddy has reached sexual maturity? Does anyone know how long this will continue? I've really started to get curious about this and will ask his Vet next time we go in for a check-up. I have always thought that it is normal but I still would like to know for sure what it means!

Also, I wanted to comment on the stereotype of Colombian aggression. It seems every time I tell someone (at herp shows, etc.) that I keep a Colombian Tegu I get the whole negative response regarding aggression.
The thing is, my Sim is the most wonderful lizard I have ever been around. He has name recognition and he understands "no" (i.e., if he is about to crawl under furniture or slide down the side of my bed). He is also extremely sweet and has never opened his mouth at anyone. This may be due to the way that I have raised him. He has received endless love, care, and gentle handling. However, my two friends have a 10 month old Colombian and she is very aggressive. She will open her mouth and huff the moment someone appears in front of her enclosure. She will even try to attack the glass of her tank when she is approached.

My friends purchased their Tegu because they really loved Sim. However, they have not expended the handling that I feel is 100% necessary. In fact, I am the only person that can hold their Tegu. The technique that I use is simple but time consuming. I will approach her and take the lid off her enclosure. Then I pet her head gently -- when she opens her mouth I will look her in the eye and firmly say "no"... I take my hand away until her mouth closes. Then I repeat this for about 10-15 minutes. After that I pick her up and move her a few inches. I do that until she is calm/comfortable enough for me to lift her out of her enclosure. Normally, once I get her out she is GREAT. She is very curious and trusting -- in the past she has bit me two times, however both of those times were probably my fault for taking her out before she was comfortable enough. Last night, I was at their house and I held her for about 2 hours. I spent the night and when I woke up I took her out again and she was fine for about 10 minutes -- then she lunged off of my lap and went straight for my left hand. She actually latched on -- clamped down -- on my ring finger. The bite did not hurt (though of course it bled profusely and it is tender now). The problem is the bite was completely unexpected. I have been "on her side" with her two owners -- telling them over and over again that she is just scared and needs to be handled more. Now however, I'm not so sure! I'm afraid that she could "snap" at any moment. What if she lunges for my face next time? I have volunteered numerous times to take her for a few months and break her of this aggression. I still want to believe this is possible but she never seems to have any memory (or even scent recognition with me) of all the gentle care that I have given her. I think about her all the time, because I am so concerned and despite her attitude I really like her. Though, it is so hard to get other people (friends included) to listen when it comes to their "parenting". All of their other lizards (Savannah Monitor included) are tame so they are convinced that it is just the fact that she is a Colombian Tegu. My friends live an hour away so I cannot be there to handle her everyday (usually I'm there once a week). We are all concerned about handling her when she is full grown (she seems very large for her age already -- she is 2 ft).
Any comments/advice?
Thanks,

Mel

Chizzow · Member Joined: May 10, 2005 Posts: 73 Location: BC

for your first question. The white substance could be an urine sac (not sure if this is the proper term). Basically it is just a solid form of urine which is normal for basically all lizards.

As for taming the columbian, It will just take time for it to recognize that humans are not a threat. Although columbians are known to be more aggressive, all that means is that it will take more effort and patience to calm it down. Really all your friends can do is to take the time and gradually earn that trust through handling.

good luck

_________________
1.0.0 Argentine B&W Tegu
0.0.1 Crested Gecko

Rick · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 11:03 am Post subject: Re: hemipenes/agression!

First and foremost, Welcome to The Tegu Community @ www.thetegu.com

Now onto the question..

aznboi409 · Member Joined: Jun 12, 2005 Posts: 47

When I first bought my Colombian Tegu at the pet store in June. I told the girl that I wanted that lizard. So she put her hand in his enclosure and the tegu opened his mouth wide up trying to bite the girl. I was like "damns". So she went got her gloves for the little thing. I put him in my enclosure for like 3 days without touching him. Everytime I would get close to the glass, he would huff and puff at me. Everyday I would try to build that trust with him by rubbing his neck and when he was calm enough, I would try to pick him up and put him on my bed so he could roam around. After like a month when i purchased him, He alwayed huffed and puffed at me when i touch him on his neck but would calm down after like 20 seconds.
When I bought him out of his enclosure, he would be calm in my hands for like 1 min and get jumpy and try to fight his way out of my hand so he can go his way. I had never got bit before by my colombian. I guess I was the lucky ones. All I have to say is, a colombian will never get as calm as an Argentine. My colombian is very picky in food. He would eat a week straight and then go without eating for 3 days. I let my Colombian roam around my room when he gets calm enough and get use to me. And then when someone new walks in my room, he takes off and go hide. Now hes in the wild living around my neighborhood since that "****ing" hurricane took a piece of my house along with my Colombian and his enclosure. I was planning on evacuating for 4 days till the hurricane changed course and hit my city directly! I hope my little friend is still alive living a happy life.

Now I have a baby Argentine Tegu that is 12 inches. He still have some green on him. When i first got him on Thursday 10/13, I fell in love with im in only a few hours. My Argentine is not picky, not jumpy, doesnt huff and puff, VERY calm. I even feed him outside his enclosure wild clicking. My goal is to have him clicker trained. If I were to try and feed my Colombian outside his enclosure, he would not be interested in his food. He would just take off.

Thats my story about my Colombian.