Hi guys, been lurking for a while but thought it was time to be a member.. and even though I know it's asked all the time, I need help.
Orrin is my argentine b&w tegu I ordered from LLLReptile on 10/7/14, I don't know his exact age or gender as it wasnt provided.. but he's been very "don't touch me!" and bitey since day one.
I tried placing clothing in his enclosure with my scent on it, ive just been doing the usual cleaning and maintenance of his cage without bothering him so he hopefully get's use to me. After tegu-proofing the room ive recently been letting him free roam while i just sit in the room on my computer, and ive fed him on plates and with tongs so he doesn't associate my hands with food..
And still, I can't even get near to touching him without him puffing up, hissing, tail whipping me, and if I keep my hand in one spot he can get to for too long, he'll lung and bite. I try not to react to the bites, but he does draw blood.. so i dont like to make my hands too available for him.
Ive only had to gently grab him to get him back in his enclosure once because I needed to leave and couldnt keep an eye on him, but I fear if I had *any* trust developed at all, I lost it there, so I feel I might be better off keeping him in his enclosure for now.. but I also feel bad in doing so, I want him to be able to roam, explore, and get the exercise.
I'm starting to have thoughts of re-homing him, and perhaps I'm just not cut out as a tegu owner. I would like to keep him.. but I just don't know what to do at this point.
Orrin is my argentine b&w tegu I ordered from LLLReptile on 10/7/14, I don't know his exact age or gender as it wasnt provided.. but he's been very "don't touch me!" and bitey since day one.
I tried placing clothing in his enclosure with my scent on it, ive just been doing the usual cleaning and maintenance of his cage without bothering him so he hopefully get's use to me. After tegu-proofing the room ive recently been letting him free roam while i just sit in the room on my computer, and ive fed him on plates and with tongs so he doesn't associate my hands with food..
And still, I can't even get near to touching him without him puffing up, hissing, tail whipping me, and if I keep my hand in one spot he can get to for too long, he'll lung and bite. I try not to react to the bites, but he does draw blood.. so i dont like to make my hands too available for him.
Ive only had to gently grab him to get him back in his enclosure once because I needed to leave and couldnt keep an eye on him, but I fear if I had *any* trust developed at all, I lost it there, so I feel I might be better off keeping him in his enclosure for now.. but I also feel bad in doing so, I want him to be able to roam, explore, and get the exercise.
I'm starting to have thoughts of re-homing him, and perhaps I'm just not cut out as a tegu owner. I would like to keep him.. but I just don't know what to do at this point.