Something wrong with my tegu???

psychoson · New Member Joined: Dec 26, 2007 Posts: 1

Hello..
i just got my tegu bout a week ago...hes been getting better with me holding him

...but all today hes been hiding under the bedding and i go to check on him and he starts breathing really heavy with his eyes closed...is he alright??

txrepgirl · Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 7:54 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the Tegu forum (family) and congrats on your new Tegu.Yes,he is all right.Right now since it is winter time some Tegus go in to hibernation until Spring.Some Tegus still come out every day or every other day to bask.Leonidas,my 5 month old Tegu comes out every day at about 6am.I play with him than he eats,basks,poops and than he hides again (at about 3pm).Zeuss 8 1/2 month old one he sleeps for 3 or 4 days than he comes out for about 1 or 2 hours than he hides again for a few days.But he doesn't eat.I got him 2 or 3 weeks ago and he ate just two times and shedded ones.When your Tegu is hiding please do not bother him.That's when they want to be left alone (you can brake the trust,too,when you dig him up).The reason for the heavy breathing is because you interrupted his sleep.If he would be all the way awake he probably would start hissing at you and maybe try to bite you.Don't worry he will come out when he wants to.Good luck with your new Tegu.What did you name him/her.How old is he/she and what kind did you get if you don't mind me asking ?Take care and I hope you will enjoy this site as much as I have.

greentriple · Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:25 pm Post subject:

I'd like to take this moment to suggest that before people buy tegus, they learn much more about them. Sorry if this is harsh, but in reading post after post I'm noticing that more and more people are buying on impulse and not taking the time to research their pet.

But then better that they turn here with questions than remain ignorant.

What texrepgirl is saying is right. Your tegu is getting pissed that you are bothering it. I know it's hard not to want to play with your new pet, but remember it's a baby and you are a giant monster to it. It is terrified of you and you must get it accustomed to you and certain that you will not eat it. Digging it out of its hide is not the way to do this.

If your tegu is coming out everyday to bask or eat, it is not hibernating. Hibernating tegus don't eat or bask. Regardless tegus do slow in the winter and take time to acclimate to a new home.

Please act responsibly towards our new charge. Take a few days and read as much as you can here and elsewhere on tegus. There is a plethora of information out there.

Good luck!

amazing · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 3:52 am Post subject:

@psychoson:

please read: http://thetegu.com/postlite4956-.html

txrepgirl · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 11:21 am Post subject:

Psychoson.I hope that you are still coming to this site to get some infos.I know the post was harsh but we all are just worried about your Tegu (and you).Don't worry EVERY BODY makes mistakes.We had to learn a lot,too, and still are.I'm also glad that you came here for help.Things will be alright

.Take care.

greentriple · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:58 pm Post subject:

My apologies if my post was too harshly written. I meant what I wrote though, it's important to do research before buying a tegu. However, it's the life saving of many tegus, I'm sure, that this site and others are out there.

Keep the questions coming and thank you to those who take time to answer them.

txrepgirl · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 2:33 pm Post subject:

It's ok greentriple.If psychoson would know you like some of us do here in this forum he would know that you didn't mean to be so harsh.We know that you are just concerned and that is a good thing.That's why we are a big family here on this forum to take the time to help each other out.So we all can take better care of our babies ( Tegus ).Hope all is well with every one.Take care.