Hi,
I received my AA Tegu from Varnyard in early Sept. I put her in the enclosure to let her calm down and get acclimated. She hid right under the cat litter pan I have in there for water and swimming. After a few days I tried feeding and she wouldn't eat. She continued to hide under the water bowl for days at a time and I would have to change the water, which would disturb her so I'd try to feed and she still wouldn't eat. After a few weeks of this I spoke to Bobby who said she is trying to hibernate, so I turned off the UV overhead light and the heat and left her alone. She never comes out until I need to change the water and then she's out for a few hours before going back under. I ever tried removing the large cat litter pan and using a small water bowl, but she got under that too! She hasn't eaten in a month easy and she only comes out when I change the water. The lights and heat have been off for about a week now. I have substrate in there (repti-bark) more than enough for her to get under. I have even attempted to bury her with the substrate when I move the water bowl and move the bowl. Basically what I'm asking is will she be ok hibernating without being buried and getting disturbed every week or so? I can't just leave the still water in there so I have to change it. Should I just leave the lights and heat off until spring and keep changing the water bowl once a week? Thanks for your help!
I received my AA Tegu from Varnyard in early Sept. I put her in the enclosure to let her calm down and get acclimated. She hid right under the cat litter pan I have in there for water and swimming. After a few days I tried feeding and she wouldn't eat. She continued to hide under the water bowl for days at a time and I would have to change the water, which would disturb her so I'd try to feed and she still wouldn't eat. After a few weeks of this I spoke to Bobby who said she is trying to hibernate, so I turned off the UV overhead light and the heat and left her alone. She never comes out until I need to change the water and then she's out for a few hours before going back under. I ever tried removing the large cat litter pan and using a small water bowl, but she got under that too! She hasn't eaten in a month easy and she only comes out when I change the water. The lights and heat have been off for about a week now. I have substrate in there (repti-bark) more than enough for her to get under. I have even attempted to bury her with the substrate when I move the water bowl and move the bowl. Basically what I'm asking is will she be ok hibernating without being buried and getting disturbed every week or so? I can't just leave the still water in there so I have to change it. Should I just leave the lights and heat off until spring and keep changing the water bowl once a week? Thanks for your help!