Concerned over new tegu - advice needed please

[Monkey Girl]

Hi everyone, I'm new to tegus and in dire need of some clarification (please).

We just received (4 days ago) our male Argentine Chacoan tegu (yearling). He just came out of hibernation a couple of days before the breeder shipped him to us. We have been allowing him to slowly get used to daylight by slowing increasing his UVB exposure (starting at 8hrs with a break in the middle) until we reach 12 hrs of UVB exposure. The problem is, he refuses to come to the surface and all he wants to do is sleep. Even with the advice of another highly reputable well known breeder (our breeder has yet to get back to us) to gently remove him from his hide box and give him a nice warm soak (day 3), he still remained pretty inactive (sleeping in the tub and once out and dried off, sleeping on me or on the floor). He has walked around a little on the floor but only to find a hiding spot so he can sleep. We offered him some scrambled egg, strawberries and grapes after his bath, he did take notice of the food but then turned away. He has since returned to his hide and we have not seem him since.

Is this normal for a tegu just out hibernation and in a new home? How is he suppose to get UVB exposure when he's constantly burrowed? What about him staying hydrated? Will he eventually come around or should I do what the breeder said and help him wake up more by removing him from his burrow, handling him a bit and perhaps putting him under his basking light? I always thought the golden rule was: NEVER REMOVE YOUR TEGU FROM THEIR HIDE BOX OR BURROW?

Or am I worrying over nothing?

**I've posted on other threads (with pics) but received no replies, I'm hoping someone will provide some advice


Here is his set up:

Basking area is 95-105 (on rock).
Cool side (hide) is 75 - 85

Basking Lighting:
1 - UVB 10 Repti Sun compact
175 watt clear infrared

On other side of enclosure is:
1 UVB 10 tube style

Humidity:

Reptifogger controlled by a hydrotherm controller @ 70 - 80%

Hide is filled with coconut husk medium & sphagnum moss

Substrate is 75% coconut husk & 25% Ecco earth

Temp enclosure is glass terrarium (front opening) 5' X 3' X 2'

 

[Derek Doel]

My little guy was doing the same thing, it took him about 7-10 days to fully come around after finishing his hibernation/burmation period. I think that it had to do with the crappy winter here as last year he came around right away

 

[Monkey Girl]

My little guy was doing the same thing, it took him about 7-10 days to fully come around after finishing his hibernation/burmation period. I think that it had to do with the crappy winter here as last year he came around right away

Thanks for getting back.

I took him out of his hide (gently) and then tried to see if he was hungry (no he wasn't). I then let him see me provide water for him (again not interested). When I held him and sat him down on the floor he only wanted to hide under me and sleep. I now have him basking under his light but I know he wants to burrow.

Should I just leave him be in his hide and wait until he comes out on his own? Am I stressing the poor guy out?

What did you do when your tegu was still coming out of hibernation/brumation? Did you intervene or leave him be? You mentioned 7 - 10 days?

Thanks again!

 

[Derek Doel]

i would just put some food in the cage everyday(mainly fruit) and i re-arranged all the lights inside, plus added an additional heat lamp and an additional UV lamp(mainly due to the cold) After the 10 days he was fully awake and eating well. One day he was all slow and sleepish and then the next day he was fully awake and ready to take on the world