my new buddy

MO · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:28 am Post subject: my new buddy

Am I NOT supposed to be digging my baby tegu up? Honestly, if I didn't dig him up I would never see him!

I've been finding him in the morning and warming him up in my shirt because he feels so cold! Then I clean his house up and give him fresh food and water. After spending a few minutes with him I place him up on his basking log under the light and he warms up a bit more. At some point during the day he eats a little.

When I get home from work he's back under the substrate where I don't see him again until I dig him up. Do you think he's trying to brumate? i don't want to let him because he's so little.

He doesn't seem to mind me digging him up.

drfish · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 12:58 pm Post subject:

Leave him be, you are probably compounding the problem, by digging him up.

As with most reptiles, they need the 'safety' zone, where they feel they cannot be attacked, disturbed, or in a lot of cases, seen. This is especially so with terrestrial reptiles, such as Tegu's, monitors, gecko's etc.

The idea behind this is no different to humans, everyone needs a bit of space from time to time, where they can feel warm and safe.

If you think he's getting too cold at night, leave his heat source on, but not the lights. If heating is derived from the lights, try using an infra-red heat source.

Leave him for a few weeks, but keep with your normal routine, and you may find he will settle much better, and enjoy interacting with you. At the moment, he probably see's you as some big hairy monster that keeps threatening him. (No offence, lol)

MO · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:27 pm Post subject:

Okay, okay...... He's just so little and cute!!

jb · Honored Member Joined: Sep 01, 2005 Posts: 201

If it is a Columbian, that is very normal. Mine tunnels through the cypress mulch all day long. He only comes out for an hour or so in a.m. They really like their privacy.

CRG · Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 12:33 pm Post subject:

I was wondering if this wouldnt be a good way to tame one? I mean they are sluggish so they dont get as scared since there is less thrashing about.Kinda like they are forced to get used to it....Im probably wrong but it just seems an easier way then picking them up when they are all freaked and tailwhipping....

MO · Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 7:13 pm Post subject:

NO!!! NOT A COLUMBIAN!!!! That was indeed my nightmare and still is at times!

I'm pretty sure it's a black and white. He's just really small and I've only had him 2 weeks this saturday. I think it's adjusting... I hope it's adjusting.

I do agreee that it's much nicer handling a sleepy tegu though.....no thrashing, just wide eyed sleepy looks. Very peacful when 1/2 awake but then aren't we all?

DeadIrishD · Honored Member Joined: Jun 07, 2005 Posts: 265

Not me, when I first wake up, I can be the meanest SOB.

but I do have one idea, ship the tegu to me, and you will not have to worry about a Columbian :-d

MO · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 4:14 pm Post subject:

Your a funny guy, nice try.

Shan · Honored Member Joined: Jul 26, 2005 Posts: 155

I got an argentine from Rick so I know it is truly an argentine. But Gooch is in his den most of the time. He will come out about 11:00a.m. and he will go back inside about 3:00p.m. So if I worked I would never see him. Maybe your baby is out playing around while you are at work. Gooch doesn't always leave signs of running around in his enclosure either. He seems like a very lazy boy at times.

MO · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 10:06 pm Post subject:

Yeah, he comes out around the same time as Gooch when I'm home. I've been leaving him big fat juicy crickets to catch during the day and he does leave the occasional "present" that I find when I come home from work.

He's actually turning into a good tegu. When I'm home I still have to catch him to hold him or tp put him in his tub but he's learned to crawl up my hand and arm if he wants out of the water, which is most of the time.

It's all good and I really don't think he's a colombian, that was just a nightmare......