New Tegu

melahela30 · Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:28 pm Post subject: New Tegu

I just got a tegu from Bert this morning and he's extremely fiesty and hasn't eaten anything. I tried giving him a mouse, crickets, and strawberries and didn't seem very interested in any of them. Also he seems to be very afraid of me. He backs away from me if I walk by its enclosure and if I get too close he snaps at me. I'm not sure if I should worry about anything yet because I've only had him for a day but what would you recommend I do about it not eating and its aggression?
Thanks, Sean

Teiidae · Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:42 pm Post subject:

I'd reccomend you do nothing right now - He needs time to settle in - Keep fresh water in there for him and if he want's to eat, he will - If he don't, so be it - It's all new to him including you so let him be for now and get comfortable with his environment, than start working on the interaction

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Nero557 · Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 9:23 pm Post subject:

I agree 100% with Teiidae, give him at least a week to adjust, don't play with him or bug him or anything, offer food, but don't force it on him, also, never pull him/her out of it's hide. Just give him some time and he/she will come around. Congrats.

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yeaitsdave · Honored Member Joined: Sep 25, 2005 Posts: 261

Also, make sure your substrate is deep enough for him. Right now he's going to want the comfort of being able to burrow, and if its too shallow, he won't get that security

Diablo · Member Joined: Mar 26, 2006 Posts: 26 Location: BC, Canada

I just got mine recently as well. At first he was very nervous. As soon as he'd see something move around, he'd go hide. If you let him time, this is incredible how fast they get use to you. 1st week, I did nothing other then water, spray, feed and clean his poop. 2nd week, he was not as nervous so I started moving my hands around him very slowly, let him smell me and even just touch him a bit. You put your hand palm up very low and move it towards him. Now after 3 weeks, I can pick him up in the tank and hold him a bit. Every morning at the same time, he is out and waiting for food. As soon as I put his bowl he comes at it. I am still holding it and he his eating out of it. If I put my hand in the tank, he comes to see it and smell it. I love him, or her! I know it's hard to be patient, but it's worth it.
Cheers
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Diegar · Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 6:32 am Post subject:

Also, those buying tegus from Bert right now, are buying tegus from last year's batch. They have never been interacted with at all. They have lived outside since they hatched, so being in a cage and interacting with humans is a pretty new thing for them.
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yeaitsdave · Honored Member Joined: Sep 25, 2005 Posts: 261

Thats a good point, they are going to tank some work. They've been in a much large area and are stressing out from the new confines

TallBaldNTatt2ed · Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 9:44 am Post subject:

It sucks you got one from last year, but I'm sure it will tame just fine. When I got mine from Bert he had an appetite immediately and within a few days was sitting in my lap while I watched t.v. I guess I got lucky. But was extremely flighty the first few hours. Dug all the way down to the bottom of his substrate, and peeked at me.

yeaitsdave · Honored Member Joined: Sep 25, 2005 Posts: 261

Mine was the same way. First few hours, he wanted nothing to do with me. After that, he was exploring my apartment, sitting in my lap, all sorts of fun. Mine wasn't as young tho, and he was handled a lot before hand