Blue Tegu Growth and Eating

[Justin Bezanski]

I just got a blue tegu at a reptile show, his temps are 105* on basking spot, he has Repti sun UVB 10.0 bulbs, and the ambient temperature on the cool side of the enclosure is about 78-85*. The breeder I bought him from said he was 4 months old but the tegu is only 15” head to tail. He doesn’t eat anything very readily besides pinky mice but I do not want to over feed them due to fat. He will eat one bite of turkey meat then leave or eat a few bites of scrambled eggs then leave. Any advice? I am a new keeper. He is in a 48” 16” 16” enclosure. It is usually 75-95% humidity

 

[AlphaAlpha]

slivers of fresh meat , organs and fish.

how long you had it could be still settling in period ?

 

[Justin Bezanski]

slivers of fresh meat , organs and fish.

how long you had it could be still settling in period ?

Oh only about a 4 days. How do you think his length is for a 4 month old? Is that too small for a blue tegu at this age?

 

[Justin Bezanski]

Oh only about a 4 days. How do you think his length is for a 4 month old? Is that too small for a blue tegu at this age?

Also I have tried talapia fish

 

[AlphaAlpha]

Sounds like an alright size to me but hard to tell... I'd also say its just in its settling in period give it a week or 2..... Remember you have changed everything in that little guys life

 

[Walter1]

Good for them to see you while you are nearby and talking to them well while they settle in and before handling.

 

[Justin Bezanski]

Good for them to see you while you are nearby and talking to them well while they settle in and before handling.

Upon site usually he will run into a burrow he made.. he loves to burrow. Today I bought some chicken gizzards and he took them from my hand even though how timid he is... about 3 teaspoons worth of grinded up chicken gizzards. He also had a full body shed come off today. He looks way more white now!

 

[Walter1]

That's great. Talk to him when you're around and when feeding him so he associates your voice with you and your gentleness.

 

[Justin Bezanski]

That's great. Talk to him when you're around and when feeding him so he associates your voice with you and your gentleness.

Thanks for the help... what do you think about his size for a 4 month old?

 

[Walter1]

Average size for his age. This strain of them top out at about 3 ft. Males have reduced jowls. They scarcely brumate come winter if at all.

 

[Justin Bezanski]

Average size for his age. This strain of them top out at about 3 ft. Males have reduced jowls. They scarcely brumate come winter if at all.

Quick update. Started eating everything. Just fed him 12 calcium dusted Dubias... and he is still a little timid out of the tank but will willingly walk into my hand to explore and hand feed now. Allthough not all the news is good. I noticed some twitching coming from his back legs. I’m taking him to the vet tomorrow. I’m thinking it might be calcium deficiency or parasites (he is under reptisun 10.0 and calcium dusted food), to go more in depth his legs shake a little in sudden movements when sitting still. This was an overnight change at least from my noticing. The night before I remember having to grab him before he was about to run under a washing machine and most of the pressure was put on his back legs because he squirmed when he was in my hand (it was either lose him or get him) and honestly I feel terrible if I caused that. What are your thoughts? I only had him about a week

 

[Walter1]

Could be a response to the grab. Vet trip always good for new one for a variety of health reasons. Peace of mind for you and healthy tegu.

 

[Justin Bezanski]

Could be a response to the grab. Vet trip always good for new one for a variety of health reasons. Peace of mind for you and healthy tegu.

You thinking the severity is bad or from your experience do small cases like these turn out fine?

 

[Walter1]

Odds strongly in the lizard's favor. I would go to the vet because he's new. The likelyhood of permanent damage from a grab is very very small. So, in the meantime give him a break from handling for a few weeks but maintain talking and scratching his neck, etc.

 

[Justin Bezanski]

Odds strongly in the lizard's favor. I would go to the vet because he's new. The likelyhood of permanent damage from a grab is very very small. So, in the meantime give him a break from handling for a few weeks but maintain talking and scratching his neck, etc.

What about letting him out for walks?

 

[AlphaAlpha]

If you are going to let him out for walks you need a bathroom or hallway totally bare and lizard proof.

 

[Walter1]

What about letting him out for walks?

If his leg shakes are from the grab, leave him alone for a few weeks. If vet says frim calcium, and not severe, you can walk him.

 

[Justin Bezanski]

If his leg shakes are from the grab, leave him alone for a few weeks. If vet says frim calcium, and not severe, you can walk him.

Shacking stopped. Is vet trip still advisable?

 

[Justin Bezanski]

Shacking stopped. Is vet trip still advisable?

Also sometimes I see him wiggle his tail, is this normal? Like a worm

 

[Justin Bezanski]

Actually his toes still flinch but his legs no more