Tegu Fanclub/Updates/Tips

I know we have a handful of Tegu owners on here. Thst being said I thought it would be cool to get one thread constantly rolling where anyone can post quick questions, helpful hints, pictures of growth or just showing off your Gu in general. I will get the ball rolling with my new lil girl. Here she is

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After a lot of patience and self restraint on my part in not reaching in and picking her up she is slowly starting to show signs of trust even at this young age. I have been spending 1 hour a day with her just sitting in the room so she can see me. Getting her use to seeing me, my smell and showing her Im not a predator. The other day i reached in her cage to do some spot cleaning and she came right up to me. I was able to slide my fingers underneath her and lift with no running, tail whipping, biting, or closing her eyes!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/10/qaqy6uqe.jpg

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Originally Posted by jclaiborne

After a lot of patience and self restraint on my part in not reaching in and picking her up she is slowly starting to show signs of trust even at this young age. I have been spending 1 hour a day with her just sitting in the room so she can see me. Getting her use to seeing me, my smell and showing her Im not a predator. The other day i reached in her cage to do some spot cleaning and she came right up to me. I was able to slide my fingers underneath her and lift with no running, tail whipping, biting, or closing her eyes!
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Your new girl is a cutie! I personally can't imagine not having an argentine tegu - such wonderful lizards. You're definitely on the right track for handling. I basically ignore mine until they are about a year old. The only interaction they get is me spot cleaning, feeding, misting, etc.. You can work with them more and get there sooner but they naturally gain comfortability and confidence as they put on size and learn you're not a predator. They have such endearing personalities, I know I'll have a tegu for the rest of my life.

Here is my buddy, Boon - from a youngster to more recent:

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/z...s/100_0803.jpg

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/z...s/100E0853.jpg

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Wow he's awesome! On the first few pics it looked like he had some red spots. I just got home from work and went to mist my girls cage and she was going into her first shed for me.

When did you start feeding boon out of his enclosure? Since my lil girl (wife and son decided on the name Athena) is eating insects i jist drop them in for now...

I have been hooked on Tegus for a while, but held off on getting one until now because i didnt have the means to provide the room they needed...i do now though!

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Originally Posted by jclaiborne

Wow he's awesome! On the first few pics it looked like he had some red spots. I just got home from work and went to mist my girls cage and she was going into her first shed for me.

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Thanks, he had quite a bit of red/rust color as a youngster. They go through a rather drastic ontogenetic color change as they age. I doubt many people would mind them keeping those green heads but they are striking in their adult colors too!

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Originally Posted by jclaiborne

When did you start feeding boon out of his enclosure? Since my lil girl (wife and son decided on the name Athena) is eating insects i jist drop them in for now...

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I've never fed outside the enclosure. I've never had a problem with food aggression either. I also don't just open the door and toss food in with them. When I feed it's usually the last thing I do after my normal routine. As an example, with a young animal I would have the food ready but go through spot cleaning, changing water, misting and all that before placing the food down as I leave. With an older animal I enter the enclosure, spot clean, clean out water, give the GU some attention, then leave the food on their food plate as I exit the enclosure. Another option for feeding in the enclosure would be to get the food set before your GU comes up for the day. Mine have all been late risers so this would be an easy way to separate food from keeper. I do like there to be some level of food association though, so personally I prefer the method I use. They are incredibly smart and I feel this bonds them closer to the owner. Just NEVER let your GU bully you into feeding before you're ready - slippery slope from what I've seen with other keeper's videos.

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Originally Posted by jclaiborne

I have been hooked on Tegus for a while, but held off on getting one until now because i didnt have the means to provide the room they needed...i do now though!

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I'm always glad to see a new tegu owner, especially one who can do it right! Welcome to the club and enjoy.

Omg I love those shots with his tongue stuck out! :D I love all of these pics, Tegus are pretty awesome!


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Originally Posted by John1982

Thanks, he had quite a bit of red/rust color as a youngster. They go through a rather drastic ontogenetic color change as they age. I doubt many people would mind them keeping those green heads but they are striking in their adult colors too!

I do enjoy seeing all of their color changes as they grow. My girl is almost through her shed so I am hoping to get some fresh pics of her tonight to post up. Her white is popping everywhere and her belly still has the green tint to it, her head has turned mostly white and black, I don't see any green at the moment.

I've never fed outside the enclosure. I've never had a problem with food aggression either. I also don't just open the door and toss food in with them. When I feed it's usually the last thing I do after my normal routine. As an example, with a young animal I would have the food ready but go through spot cleaning, changing water, misting and all that before placing the food down as I leave. With an older animal I enter the enclosure, spot clean, clean out water, give the GU some attention, then leave the food on their food plate as I exit the enclosure. Another option for feeding in the enclosure would be to get the food set before your GU comes up for the day. Mine have all been late risers so this would be an easy way to separate food from keeper. I do like there to be some level of food association though, so personally I prefer the method I use. They are incredibly smart and I feel this bonds them closer to the owner. Just NEVER let your GU bully you into feeding before you're ready - slippery slope from what I've seen with other keeper's videos.

Thats good to hear, I was wondering how I was going to have a tub big enough to feed outside the enclosure when she was full grown. I am basically doing what you outlined right now. I go in and mist the tank in the morning. When I get home from work I spot clean, change out the water, measure temps, sit and let her watch me, maybe pet her a bit if shes in the mood then after all that is done, I drop the insects in. Sometimes I do sit and watch just to make sure she is eating. Maybe I should just drop the food in and leave though, or at this age does it not matter? I have seen some videos like you are mentioning. Before I got my girl I wanted to see just what they were capable of in a worst case scenario, but I don't think I will have any issues as long as I keep up with my routine and like you mentioned don't let her bully.

I'm always glad to see a new tegu owner, especially one who can do it right! Welcome to the club and enjoy.

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Thank you! I am in the process of building all my lizards new cages including Athena, her cage will be 8x4x3 with an elevated water platform and a drain on the bottem for easy cleaning, I am still looking at the bio-active substrate mixes, she will have 1 ft of substrate to burrow in. I plan on making the cage out of PVC and aluminum railing for the frame.

Hi everyone, I'm new to tegus and in dire need of some clarification (please).


We just received (4 days ago) our male Argentine Chacoan tegu (yearling). He just came out of hibernation a couple of days before the breeder shipped him to us. We have been allowing him to slowly get used to daylight by slowing increasing his UVB exposure (starting at 8hrs with a break in the middle) until we reach 12 hrs of UVB exposure. The problem is, he refuses to come to the surface and all he wants to do is sleep. Even with the advice of another highly reputable well known breeder (our breeder has yet to get back to us) to gently remove him from his hide box and give him a nice warm soak (this was on day 3), he still remained pretty inactive (sleeping in the tub and once out and dried off, sleeping on me or on the floor). He has walked around a little on the floor but only to find a hiding spot so he can sleep. We offered him some scrambled egg, strawberries and grapes after his bath, he did take notice of the food but then turned away. He has since returned to his hide and we have not seem him since.


Is this normal for a tegu just out hibernation and in a new home? How is he suppose to get UVB exposure when he's constantly burrowed? What about him staying hydrated? Will he eventually come around or should I do what the breeder said and help him wake up more by removing him from his burrow, handling him a bit and perhaps putting him under his basking light? I always thought the golden rule was: NEVER REMOVE YOUR TEGU FROM THEIR HIDE BOX OR BURROW?


Or am I worrying over nothing?


**I've posted on other threads (with pics) but received no replies, I'm hoping someone will provide some advice




Here is his set up:


Basking area is 95-105 (on rock).
Cool side (hide) is 75 - 85


Basking Lighting:
1 - UVB 10 Repti Sun compact
175 watt clear infrared


On other side of enclosure is:
1 UVB 10 tube style


Humidity:


Reptifogger controlled by a hydrotherm controller @ 70 - 80%


Hide is filled with coconut husk medium & sphagnum moss


Substrate is 75% coconut husk & 25% Ecco earth


Temporary enclosure is glass terrarium (front opening) 5' X 3' X 2'

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I have yet to deal with a tegu comming out of hibernation but with my blueys I just let then do their thing...i offer food and if they dont take it, I try again the next day. Hes also probably getting use to his new home. I would give him a few more days...

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Originally Posted by Monkey girl

Is this normal for a tegu just out hibernation and in a new home? How is he suppose to get UVB exposure when he's constantly burrowed? What about him staying hydrated? Will he eventually come around or should I do what the breeder said and help him wake up more by removing him from his burrow, handling him a bit and perhaps putting him under his basking light? I always thought the golden rule was NEVER REMOVE YOUR TEGU FROM THEIR HIDE BOX OR BURROW?

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My tegus have all been strong hibernators - I'm talking August(yeah, they often go down when we're still getting temps in the 90s) through March. The month prior to and post hibernation they do very little other than a bit of morning basking and drinking. Don't worry so much about UVB/MBD in the off season because they aren't eating/basking/growing then. It's when they're active, and eating like machines, and growing 3 feet in a season that MBD becomes a real concern.

You already woke your boy and gave him a good soak, which isn't a bad thing as you didn't know how hydrated he was from the previous owner. I'd personally go back to leaving him alone and letting him come up in his own good time. In my experience, they take their cues from the photoperiod and pretty much ignore temperatures. Your best bet in getting him to wake naturally would be mimicking the natural light cycles.

I'm an advocate of never messing with a hiding tegu. Especially a young one with whom you're trying to bond - every GU needs to have a safe zone. Just keep your temps and humidity at good levels and have fresh water available. So as not to waste much, you could put a tidbit of food on a plate and leave it in the enclosure in the mornings. They can be sneaky sometimes when they start to emerge and you might not realize he's coming up to bask briefly. Until he's up in full force don't expect much more than nibbling some food here and there.

Let him do his thing and when he does start to come up for longer durations be prepared to feed by the bucketload. At that age they typically gorge until they look ready to burst. The following day they'll seem skinny and half starved again, begging for more food.

Here's my kid!

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[QUOTE=Jackie;2243782]Here's my kid!

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[QUOTE=Jackie;2243783]

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Originally Posted by Jackie

Here's my kid!

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Very cool! How old?

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You know, I'm not sure. I got him from a local shop, they got him in a trade. My husband and I are guessing maybe a year? He (or she) is probably just short of two feet long from snout to end of tail.

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I kind of let this thread die off for a bit so I thought I would post up some update pics of my lil one...we were having a rough start with eating and shedding, but after quite a few messages back and forth with John1982 (again thank you for allcthe help!) we figured out what was wrong and she has bounced back and is doing great, so here are the updated pics of Athena
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Alright everyone i just got back from a 3 week business trip and good lord my Gu hit a massive growth spurt! Shes turning into a beast! My wife has beeing trying to work with her while I was gone and was getting tagged everyday. I walked in just now and scooped her right up without issue.

Before I left:
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...9235020411.jpg

As of now:
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And here is the little love tap my wife got...dont worry we saved the finger[emoji1]

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What a beautiful girl! She's turning into a little piggy [emoji2]


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Originally Posted by AlexisFitzy

What a beautiful girl! She's turning into a little piggy [emoji2]


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Yes she is...shes hammering backcthe food...she so calm with me...maybe a tail whip once in a while, but apparently has it out for the wifey

Here is the misses holding her
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My little guy is getting ready for Halloween with his orange tummy :)
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Alright getting some additions...hopefully we can keep this going with the few Gu owners we have on here

I've got a few more to share! They're from september 21st~
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Omg these Tegus are too cute!! [emoji38]


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I cannot wait until my Gu gets bigger :)

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Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

I cannot wait until my Gu gets bigger :)

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I was saying the same thing a month ago and she has hit a massive growthcspurt with no signs of stopping lol...I cant believe how strong she already is at her size!

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...51afbc97aa.jpg

Giving me the death stare this morning

Really cool photo I snapped awhile back. For the folks who don't know, tegus have nictitating membranes which is essentially a third eyelid.
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2 pics from this morning during handling time

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Haha that tongue shot is adorable! And I like the death state one too :D


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Awwww, what a cute face!

Swim time!!!
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I'm in the research phase still. I can't wait to get mine.

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Originally Posted by shrkb8oh

I'm in the research phase still. I can't wait to get mine.

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Word of advice get your forever enclosure done ahead of time so you wont be rushed....they grow incredibly fast!

My little dude got a bath not too long ago. He had some stuck shed on his tail I had to help get off. Pardon the messy tub, the house is over 60 years old and it's starting to fall apart.
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He's getting pretty big! He weighed 552 grams on the 15th which is 83 more than what he weighed on the 8th. I weigh him every Wednesday :)

Wow he looks great!!


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Originally Posted by Pansnake

My little dude got a bath not too long ago. He had some stuck shed on his tail I had to help get off. Pardon the messy tub, the house is over 60 years old and it's starting to fall apart.
http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/...ps82ff65a6.png
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He's getting pretty big! He weighed 552 grams on the 15th which is 83 more than what he weighed on the 8th. I weigh him every Wednesday :)

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Wow he's gorgeous! Is he a red×b&w hybrid?

@AlexisFitzy - Thank you! He's getting a ton of orange on him in places and it's so pretty. When he sheds I'll try to get a good picture of it!

@Sammiebob - Thanks! According to who we got him from he's just an Argentine B&W. I've had a lot of people ask if he's a redxb&w hybrid though; probably because of his orange? To be honest I'm not sure what's up with the orange but it looks amazing so I'm not complaining :P

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Originally Posted by Pansnake

@AlexisFitzy - Thank you! He's getting a ton of orange on him in places and it's so pretty. When he sheds I'll try to get a good picture of it!

@Sammiebob - Thanks! According to who we got him from he's just an Argentine B&W. I've had a lot of people ask if he's a redxb&w hybrid though; probably because of his orange? To be honest I'm not sure what's up with the orange but it looks amazing so I'm not complaining :P

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They go through some color changes while they are younger, mine is constantly popping yellows and oranges on her back and stomach, but it comes and goes from what I have seen with her each time she sheds.

I gave Romeo raw egg for the first time today. He seemed to really enjoy it! made quite a bit of a mess though xD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ--gGJQAEo

Drake LOVES eggs - raw, hard boiled... any way he can get them. He's stopped eating quite a bit now that it's getting colder, but he never turns down his eggs.

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Originally Posted by Pansnake

I gave Romeo raw egg for the first time today. He seemed to really enjoy it! made quite a bit of a mess though xD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ--gGJQAEo

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If you want to see some fun tegu puzzle solving offer a whole egg sometime. Can be entertaining watching them figure out how to crack the egg, once learned they become pros.

I let Romeo hang out with me on my work table for a while today. He really enjoyed looking out the window!
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I think the orange on his belly and legs is here to stay; it's also starting to go up his sides and is on a few spots on his back if you look hard enough. Halfway down his tail the white bands turn highlighter yellow. I never imagined he'd color up so nice, he's going to be so handsome when he's an adult :D

Is anyone else having issues with dry skin as the weather turns? My poor boy started getting sores on the insides of his legs - at least they looked like sores, and he didn't really want me touching them (sorry, I didn't take pics). I was bathing him at least every other day if not once a day, and spraying his cage down twice a day... and I always find him burrowed into his cypress where its still damp. But still with the dry skin. I know I have dry skin right now (my hands are starting to crack :P - hate this Midwest living sometimes!).

Anyway, I started rubbing him down with A/D ointment about a week and a half ago, and he looks SO much better and seems way happier! The spots on his legs are peeling away with new healthier looking skin underneath. He looks very shiny and slick right now lol

Just wondering if I have an extra sensitive Gu, or if this is normal during these dry, cold climes? This is something I never considered when I first got a tegu, that I'd be giving him moisturizing massages every couple of days :D

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Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

Is anyone else having issues with dry skin as the weather turns? My poor boy started getting sores on the insides of his legs - at least they looked like sores, and he didn't really want me touching them (sorry, I didn't take pics). I was bathing him at least every other day if not once a day, and spraying his cage down twice a day... and I always find him burrowed into his cypress where its still damp. But still with the dry skin. I know I have dry skin right now (my hands are starting to crack :P - hate this Midwest living sometimes!).

Anyway, I started rubbing him down with A/D ointment about a week and a half ago, and he looks SO much better and seems way happier! The spots on his legs are peeling away with new healthier looking skin underneath. He looks very shiny and slick right now lol

Just wondering if I have an extra sensitive Gu, or if this is normal during these dry, cold climes? This is something I never considered when I first got a tegu, that I'd be giving him moisturizing massages every couple of days :D

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I have had bad sheds because the air in the enclosure was too hot/dry, but once I got a good deep layer of dirt that stays moist I haven't had any skin issues. What is his diet, sometimes if something is lacking like Vit A, that can cause shedding/skin issues.

He hasn't been eating much - his tail is fat and he's not lost weight, I think he's trying to hibernate. We can usually entice him with egg (both raw and hard boiled) and he ate a bit of chicken the other day. He was eating blue berries and strawberries and the whole bit, but not so much right now.

I will thicken the mulch up some more.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

He hasn't been eating much - his tail is fat and he's not lost weight, I think he's trying to hibernate. We can usually entice him with egg (both raw and hard boiled) and he ate a bit of chicken the other day. He was eating blue berries and strawberries and the whole bit, but not so much right now.

I will thicken the mulch up some more.

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How thick is your substrate layer now? What type of cage, temps etc?

Play Time!

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I caught my girl doing a tri-pod today!!! She held it for a good 25 seconds. I have always been told Tegus couldn't do it, guess that info was incorrect http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...cab252c5d1.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...2c04937448.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...8b69f039f8.jpg

Monster Cage build for my girl is underway! As always my Lil helper was by my side http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...135735673d.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...d88c20a185.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...d10059ed56.jpg

Just wanted to join in with some pics of Denver my 3.5 year old male Blue Tegu.

Hmm... Tapatalk isn't letting me post the pictures at the moment.


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Got the center braces cut and mounted today as well as all the joists so I can put the cage on casters

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