Food Aggresive Tegu

[mguy]

Since coming out of hibernation my tegu has grown and gained weight but has became food aggresive when he is hungery. I fed him superworms by dropping them into his cage by my hand untill he started hibernation. Now i do not use my hands to feed superworms I feed supers like i feed his other food in a brown bag should I be worried?

 

[Toby_H]

should I be worried?

Of the potential of having a 4' lizard that attacks you when you feed it... heck yea you shuodl be worried


Most people suggest feeding in a seperate feeding bin. Place teh food on a plate in the feeding bin then move the Tegu into the feeding bin. When he is finished eating remove him from the feeding bin...

I personally have not followed this advice and my adult Tegu is very tame, but I still think this is a good approach...


Personally, I've fed my male Arg B&W Tegu on the same plate everyday as much food as it will eat. The consistent large meals has kept him satisified enough not to have developed food aggression. Or maybe he just has good genes. I cannot say for sure 'why' I have gotten the results I have, but I'm quite happy with my results.


At times, especially when younger, he was a bit eager to get to the plate. I kept the practice of "owning the plate" until it was in place and my hand was clear. I've been cautious never to show my Tegu fear (even when I was nervous).


Persistency and consistency is important. Also having a well tamed Tegu is important as well as very rewording. I've recently fed my Tgu f/t mice by hand, actually holding the body between my fingers, not by the tail, without being bitten. My Tegu continually amazes me...

 

[Herplings]

You feed your Tegu in a paper bag? Lol

 

[Jer723]

Yea, Toby is right, you just have to work with him, just try try and try again he will come around you just have to put in the effort, it might be stressful on both of you but it will have a better outcome in the end.

Jerry

 

[the enigma]

Well half the battle is live food. Ever since I switched Zilla from live mice over to frozen mice he calmed down alot. I stopped stimulating that instinct to catch and kill.