Help please New red tegu wont eat

[reptar15]

I have only had my red tegu for a week and 2 days now. The first day i got her she ate mealworms for me after that she has not been eating what should i do?

[reptar15]

I recently got a red tegu from a reptile show. I have got her to eat one time when I first got her. I have had her for a week and 2 days and now she takes no interest in her ground turkey or crickets. Any suggestions would be greatky appreciated.

[Pikey]

try mice/beef/fruit/roaches. (they need vairity in the diet)

what are your temps at?
are you using an UVB light? How far is the light from the lizard?

[laurarfl]

First, check temps and lighting. The basking temp should be hitting around 110-115 and there should be a quality UVB bulb that is within the proper distance and preferable not obstructed by screen. Mealworms have two things going against them: high phosphorous/low calcium, and a hard exoskeleton. They are OK as part of a diet, but there needs to be other food as well. Try pinky mice, ground turkey or lean beef, organ meats, and maybe even some fruit to entice him to eat. All of these foods need to be supplemented with a good calcium supplement that does not contain phosphorus. The heat will keep digestion going and once the mealworm exoskeleton is digested, the appetitie will resume.

Also, it's a fairly new tegu and he may be shy. How old is it? Does it have a hide or some mulch to bury in? Is he staying hydrated with good humidity? They can go for a bit without eating, so don't stress too much. You just want to make sure the habitat and diet are good and solid.

[reptar15]

Thank for the reply. I have 2 hides a basking stick and about 3 in. of cypress mulch. I think she some where around 3-4 months to young to be sexed, but im not for sure on the age. i have been trying ground turkey and blackberries, blueberries, and plums. Just last wensday i tried a pinky but she/he didnt want it. We just fed her/him fruit today she seemed to take a little more intrest in the fruit then meat but still didnt eat. The temp. is generally around 85-90. And again thakns for the reply.

[reptar15]

Thanks for the reply. I have tried ground turkey, blackberries, blueberries,plums, peaches, mealworms, crickets, and even canned monitor and tegu food. Doesnt seem to take intrest. I have had he/she for a week and 2 days. Temps are usually 85-90 and humidity is around 60-70%. She/he I think is 3-4 months, to young to sex. The cage is 40 long 2 hides one basking stick and about 3in of cypress mulch. And again thanks for the reply

[Nessie]

Has he been going to the bathroom at all?? I know with my beardies ( even at full size) mealsorms cause a slight impaction due to the hard shells. If its a possibility then I would try a warm bath and gently rub his tummy.

[reptar15]

Thanks for the reply. It has been using the bathroom and I think I will try your suggestion. And again thanks for the reply

[Pikey]

well the temp should be 105-115F
& what are you using as a UVB light? & how far away from the lizard is it?

If you're not using one, you should go get one (we're not gonna yell at you or anything if you dont have one, no one knows everything)
But i'm sure a lot of people will give their reccomendations on which ones they use.
-I like to use Zoo-meds 10.0 tube lights & Arcadia's lights & Zoo-med's power-sun

[laurarfl]

Definitely increase the temps to get the metabolism up to par and stimulate the appetite. Make sure you have a proper thermometer rather than a stick-on type for accuracy.

I'm moving these posts to your other thread so we don't have duplicate threads...gets confusing.