Feeding Deuce in his enclosure

Hockeymom · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 12:43 pm Post subject: Feeding Deuce in his enclosure

Ok well I know that most everyone feeds their Tegus outside the enclosure, and I understand the 2 major issues: eating substrate with the food when they finally catch it, and the possibility of bitting fingers when you are trying to interact with them other than feeding time.
But I just don't have room for another sterilite box in my room, especially when he grows and needs like a 50 gallon steralite to eat in.

I have a sliding glass front on the enclosure I built for Deuce. I put his food bowl on the left side of the enclosure and only open the left side of the glass when it's feeding time. I put the Rat fuzzy in his bowl and then call his name and click his clicker. As soon as he hears that left side of the enclosure being opened and his name/clicker he come running. When he's hungery he will go to the left side of the enclosure and scratch at the glass.
Now when I am cleaning his enclosure or wanting to pet him or remove him from the enclosure I open the right side. I have not had any problems so far. He knows when I open the right side he gets to be petted or he gets to come outside his enclosure for an adventure and some exploring. If he wants to come out for some exercise he scratches at the right side of the glass. Could he really be that smart to know the difference?

Anyways I think we are ok, but just wanted some feed back from some more experienced owners of any possible problems I may be overlooking further down the line, if any.

Thanks
Becky
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Hockey mom

drfish · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 12:48 pm Post subject:

Routine may well be the key here, but at the same time, you do run a risk of being bitten, and trust me, when he's fully grown, even a small nip hurts like hell.

To be on the safe side, why not introduce the use of gloves, specifically only for the non-feeding related jobs, and he may also get used to the fact that if youy have gloves on, it's not feeding time.

Further more, why not just create a small run out of chicken wire, and use a wooden board at the front of the enclosure. I do this with mine generally, and he seem's to respond much better, and is a lot less likely to associate opening the door's with trying to remove my fingers.

Lord_Duron · Member Joined: Sep 12, 2005 Posts: 60

I have a small tub for tila
she knows anytime she comes
out of her 60 gal with out her leash
its time to eat. @.@ too bad i'll have to
buy a new tub soon sighs* but
one thing she has learn to do is try to jump
out of her case when she's hungry. I'm
Currently trying to break her of this lil habit.