Hibernation ???

m3mandy · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:15 am Post subject: Hibernation ???

Hi there, im new to forum. Proudly owned by a 20mth B & W boy called Vinnie... Only had him 5mths. Need advice with hibernation....will he?....
What temp should i drop his viv to?

Also feeding tips would be greatly appreciated as i want him to lead a long healthy happy life....he refuses locusts, crickets etc,, wont touch fruit either. He'll take 1 thawed x large mice twice a week no probs. Tho if he isnt hungry he wont eat it. Is this ok?? please let mw know as i love him to bits and dont want to be giving him health probs due to wrong diet.
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1 Argentinian B&W Tegu
3 Beardies
2 Bosc Monitors
1 Royal Python
1 Crested Gecko
2 Kids & 1 Him indoors

Swtbrat · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:13 pm Post subject:

Hi and welcome to the Tegu Forum.

This info might help with your concerns about Hibernation.

http://thetegu.com/postt2970.html

I can't answer the eating question very well since mine is being super picky at the moment.

Brat!
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Tegu's are like potato chips,you can't have just one!
I now have 4.

worleygurl · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 8:02 am Post subject:

How long is your tegu and how much does he weigh? I hope I am misunderstanding. He does eat more than two jumbo mice a week, correct? My tegus are 15 months old and one weighs 5.5 pounds and the other weighs 6.5 pounds. They will eat two small rats twice a week (each) and the other 5 days they get a mixture of chicken gizards, cow's heart, soft boiled eggs, various fruits and veggies, fish, ground turkey, etc. If I replace the rats with day old chicks, they will eat five day old chicks a piece, twice a week. (The day old chicks are smaller than rats)

Temperatures in the viv during hibernation should be between 55 and 65 degrees. Closer to 55 is better. Over 65 and you run the risk of them not going into a proper hibernation, and there is a chance they will continue to metabolize and lose weight. You also want to make sure your tegu is healthy, a proper weight, doesn't have parasites, etc. before allowing them to hibernate. You also want to stop feeding them and make sure they poop before they go down. If they go down with food in their gut, there is a chance the food could rot, cause an infection, etc.

I hope this helps.
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Kris, Herps they're not just a hobby, they're a way of life!

m3mandy · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:25 pm Post subject: Hibernation ???

Hi there,
Thanks for the replies, he's just over 4ft long and guessing about weight....um i'd say 8-10 pounds/ 4-5 kilos. he is a big boy. Not porky though, nice and evenly cuddly. Trying to get him to eat live food is a nightmare. The 2 jumbo mice are every 2nd or 3rd day. Is that ok? He wont always eat both.

And the temp....well in Scotland its getting chilly, ive a house like an oven, so im dropping my central heating a notch or two also as with four large vivs it never gets very cool..

Anything else anyone can think of gimmie a buzz back..

Thanks n much love.

Mx
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1 Argentinian B&W Tegu
3 Beardies
2 Bosc Monitors
1 Royal Python
1 Crested Gecko
2 Kids & 1 Him indoors