Hello forum! I am new so forgive me if I've placed this thread in the wrong section.
While I have an abundance of experience with other reptiles (mostly geckos and snakes) I have very little in the way of extremely large lizards, other than with my Savannah monitor. That being said, I have wanted a tegu for some time. More and more lately I have been doing some reading and considering getting one.
Then I found one.
While searching craigslist for some extra enclosures I came across a guy looking to rehome a three year old Columbian tegu. He has it advertised as an Argentine black and white, but after examining the pics I'm fairly certain it isn't. I asked what he feeds it and about it's temperament, to which he responded mostly turkey lunchmeat and eggs. He said it's mostly well behaved other than at feeding time, when it can get a bit feisty. He is offering the tegu and a 6x3x3 enclosure for $50 because he does not have the time or means to give it the attention necessary anymore. I am going to be checking him out tomorrow and if he seems healthy he will become the newest permanent member of our little reptilian family.
I guess what I'd like to know is... Am I completely insane? I have read horror and success stories about Columbians Vs. other varieties, but I feel like that is mostly due to handling and individual personality of the tegus in question. If he isn't well behaved as I am told, is he too old to be broken of any bad habits he may have even given patience and proper care? What are things I should be wary of? I've also heard and read they can be notoriously picky eaters. Given that it sounds like he hasn't had much of a proper diet, is it going to be a challenge to get him to eat the correct foods? What are things I should look for when checking him over to ensure he is healthy enough to bring home around the rest of my collection until I could have him checked over by a vet? What tips do you all have for me as far as getting him to warm up to me? Any advice or info will be very much appreciated
I look forward to being a member of this community! attached is a picture I was sent of the little dude:
While I have an abundance of experience with other reptiles (mostly geckos and snakes) I have very little in the way of extremely large lizards, other than with my Savannah monitor. That being said, I have wanted a tegu for some time. More and more lately I have been doing some reading and considering getting one.
Then I found one.
While searching craigslist for some extra enclosures I came across a guy looking to rehome a three year old Columbian tegu. He has it advertised as an Argentine black and white, but after examining the pics I'm fairly certain it isn't. I asked what he feeds it and about it's temperament, to which he responded mostly turkey lunchmeat and eggs. He said it's mostly well behaved other than at feeding time, when it can get a bit feisty. He is offering the tegu and a 6x3x3 enclosure for $50 because he does not have the time or means to give it the attention necessary anymore. I am going to be checking him out tomorrow and if he seems healthy he will become the newest permanent member of our little reptilian family.
I guess what I'd like to know is... Am I completely insane? I have read horror and success stories about Columbians Vs. other varieties, but I feel like that is mostly due to handling and individual personality of the tegus in question. If he isn't well behaved as I am told, is he too old to be broken of any bad habits he may have even given patience and proper care? What are things I should be wary of? I've also heard and read they can be notoriously picky eaters. Given that it sounds like he hasn't had much of a proper diet, is it going to be a challenge to get him to eat the correct foods? What are things I should look for when checking him over to ensure he is healthy enough to bring home around the rest of my collection until I could have him checked over by a vet? What tips do you all have for me as far as getting him to warm up to me? Any advice or info will be very much appreciated
I look forward to being a member of this community! attached is a picture I was sent of the little dude:
