Baby Tegu Will Not Eat.

[ShadowLatios]

Recently I bought a baby tegu (about 2-3 weeks ago) and they claimed it was captive bred. It’s around 5-6 months old according to all the people I’ve talked too. It has a 40g enclosure with 6 inches of substrate (coconut fiber), a water dish, a food dish, a few hides, a basking spot of 100 degrees and full spectrum UVA/UVB. It rarely eats, and it’s beginning to worry me a tad.

 

[Walter1]

Recently I bought a baby tegu (about 2-3 weeks ago) and they claimed it was captive bred. It’s around 5-6 months old according to all the people I’ve talked too. It has a 40g enclosure with 6 inches of substrate (coconut fiber), a water dish, a food dish, a few hides, a basking spot of 100 degrees and full spectrum UVA/UVB. It rarely eats, and it’s beginning to worry me a tad.

Perhaps a few other concerns before food. 5-6 mo. old tegu should be over 2 ft in total length. Not sure at all that a 40 gallon can accommodate him and the temperature gradient that you want of 110-115 hot spot, 80s F in the middle, and a mid-upper 70s F hide on the other end. Also, a water bowl.

Regarding food, this is the time of the year when they typically overwinter, hard or soft, for a month or three. If this si the case, shorten the daylength and lower all temps still providing a warm spot to come out to if he wants.

 

[Zyn]

Pictures will help us determine age and conditions. If he's not eating but still at a healthy weight there shouldn't be much concern. But if he's not eating but looks bloated there could be issue with impaction but like Walter said he's probably slowing down for winter. I only see my 4 months old maybe every 4 to 5 days when he comes out to bask. Winter is coming Jon snow.

Side note: if he is 6 months old 40g is way to small and could be cause digestion issues with his inability to properly thermoregulate. 100 on the basking spot it is a bit low have you done a surface temp reading.

 

[ShadowLatios]

Perhaps a few other concerns before food. 5-6 mo. old tegu should be over 2 ft in total length. Not sure at all that a 40 gallon can accommodate him and the temperature gradient that you want of 110-115 hot spot, 80s F in the middle, and a mid-upper 70s F hide on the other end. Also, a water bowl.

Regarding food, this is the time of the year when they typically overwinter, hard or soft, for a month or three. If this si the case, shorten the daylength and lower all temps still providing a warm spot to come out to if he wants.

Okay thanks. I was told 5-6 months but he’s barely a foot so most likely younger

 

[ShadowLatios]

Pictures will help us determine age and conditions. If he's not eating but still at a healthy weight there shouldn't be much concern. But if he's not eating but looks bloated there could be issue with impaction but like Walter said he's probably slowing down for winter. I only see my 4 months old maybe every 4 to 5 days when he comes out to bask. Winter is coming Jon snow.

Side note: if he is 6 months old 40g is way to small and could be cause digestion issues with his inability to properly thermoregulate. 100 on the basking spot it is a bit low have you done a surface temp reading.

Yeah now I’m thinking it may be younger. It’s barely even a foot, probably a tad smaller. but yeah I’m going to increase basking and probably lower day length

 

[ShadowLatios]

Pictures will help us determine age and conditions. If he's not eating but still at a healthy weight there shouldn't be much concern. But if he's not eating but looks bloated there could be issue with impaction but like Walter said he's probably slowing down for winter. I only see my 4 months old maybe every 4 to 5 days when he comes out to bask. Winter is coming Jon snow.

Side note: if he is 6 months old 40g is way to small and could be cause digestion issues with his inability to properly thermoregulate. 100 on the basking spot it is a bit low have you done a surface temp reading.

Here’s a picture

 

[Zyn]

I'm thinking closer to 6 to 8 weeks

Out of curiosty what kind of thickness is the base of its tail. For instance my blue Sev is nearing 4 months, the base of his tail is more girthy than my thumb. I'm 6'2 255 so I have large hands for reference lol. He eats like a pig and at 4 months is nearly 2 feet nose to tail tip. I've posted pictures in his own thread if you want to compare.

I only ask because it's tail looks a bit thin. I'd even think of offering some F/T fuzzies to put some weight on.

 

[Walter1]

I'm thinking closer to 6 to 8 weeks

Out of curiosty what kind of thickness is the base of its tail. For instance my blue Sev is nearing 4 months, the base of his tail is more girthy than my thumb. I'm 6'2 255 so I have large hands for reference lol. He eats like a pig and at 4 months is nearly 2 feet nose to tail tip. I've posted pictures in his own thread if you want to compare.

I only ask because it's tail looks a bit thin. I'd even think of offering some F/T fuzzies to put some weight on.

I see what you mean. He seems healthy if a little too lean. Thighs and hips not plump, tail could be a bit thicker. Regardless, whole prey should form the base of his diet with plent of calcium added. That type of protein will help a lot. Fuzzies, as you say, would be good.

 

[ShadowLatios]

I'm thinking closer to 6 to 8 weeks

Out of curiosty what kind of thickness is the base of its tail. For instance my blue Sev is nearing 4 months, the base of his tail is more girthy than my thumb. I'm 6'2 255 so I have large hands for reference lol. He eats like a pig and at 4 months is nearly 2 feet nose to tail tip. I've posted pictures in his own thread if you want to compare.

I only ask because it's tail looks a bit thin. I'd even think of offering some F/T fuzzies to put some weight on.

I think it’s a little thin, that’s why I’m concerned. I’m going to make the changes and try and see if that helps