Tegu Fanclub/Updates/Tips

[jclaiborne]

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.

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.