Could the tank my year old Tegu lives in be harmful?

CaseyAndLola · New Member Joined: Jul 30, 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Maine

I have a black and white Argentine Tegu, and she's always been pretty small. I thought it was normal because she's so young, but I recently had contact with another one about the same age, and she was much bigger. I have Lola in a glass tank about a foot long, and I think it might be stunting her growth. She's also had a little trouble shedding, and a couple of her toes have fallen off. I'm really concerned that something could be seriously wrong, but I'm not sure who to ask about it or what could make it better. Any information would be insanely appreciated.

meanah · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject:

how old is she? what do u feed it? how often u feed it? what kind of light do u have for it? what are the temps? hows the humidity?
_________________
0.1.0 Colombian Tegu
1.0.0 Arg. Tegu
0.1.4 Bearded Dragon
0.1.0 Royal Python
1.0.0 Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Kingsnake
0.0.1 Painted Turtle
0.1.1 Spotted Pythons
1.2.0 Tokay Geckos
2.3.0 Leopard Geckos

dpjm · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject:

Her toes are falling off? Did you mean toenails by chance?

You need to give the other dimensions of the cage for us to understand its true size, but a foot long in any dimension is way too small for a tegu, so yes your tegu does need a larger cage.

It is a myth that animals grow to the size of their cage. However if your cage is so small that it affects the animals appetite, maybe by lowering its activity level, then indirectly the cage size could affect growth rate.

We also need to know about your tegu's appetite and diet.

The best advice is to take your tegu to a good reptile vet.

meanah · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject:

or give it off to someone that can take care of it.. and give it a big enough home.
i guess i totally missed the toes part... if its toes are falling off u have some really bad humidity issues and u should be soaking the tegu in warm water to help it. u can buy certian things that are for helping reptiles shed. hopefully get back at us soon so we can help u out
_________________
0.1.0 Colombian Tegu
1.0.0 Arg. Tegu
0.1.4 Bearded Dragon
0.1.0 Royal Python
1.0.0 Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Kingsnake
0.0.1 Painted Turtle
0.1.1 Spotted Pythons
1.2.0 Tokay Geckos
2.3.0 Leopard Geckos

angelrose · Moderator Joined: Jan 05, 2008 Posts: 1470

Hi CaseyAndLola and Welcome to theTegu Forum Family.

it saddens me to read this.
something is seriously wrong. size also has to do with the nutrition they are or are not getting. you keep a 1 year old tegu in a 1 foot long tank ? is that a 10 gal. tank ? the temps must be way off.

please place the tegu in a much larger enclosure asap. it should be 90 - 110 in the basking end / about 70 at the cool end where a moist hide should be placed. I also have to ask the above questions.

Casey your tegu should see a vet. I wish you and your tegu well and please take the advice.

txrepgirl · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:16 pm Post subject:

Hi CaseyAndLola.I would like to welcome you to the Tegu forum family,too.

I'm sorry to hear about the problems Lola is having.Your Tegu might have MBD.Here are some infos you can check out and I also recommend bringing her to a vet.Could you by any chance post some pics of her and the enclosure ? thanks.Please keep us posted and good luck with her.Don't worry we are not here to put you down.We are glad to you came here to get some help

.We will be here for you when you need anything.

http://thetegu.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=35969#35969

http://thetegu.com/postx5427-0-0.html

http://www.repvet.co.za/health_metabolic_bone_disease_mbd.php

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/skintests.htm

Ghost · Member Joined: Jun 02, 2008 Posts: 24 Location: Ottawa

Hallloooo Casey & Lola,

I have to assume that you mean a 1 foot wide tank or have mismeasured as a 1 foot long tank would mean something like a 2.5 gallon, which is way too small for even a very young tegu.
Everyone here is very helpful and seem to be very knowledgeable, so take their advice.
Losing toes/toenails sounds like a problem with humidity, so do a warm water soak and try to get the humidity up in the tank. Also try to get your B&W to the vet, to make sure there are no other issues happening.
I'm still learning myself, but I know one of the most important things with any animal is learning the proper care needed for it, and making sure that you can provide it with the environment that it requires.

Ghost