handling my new varnyard

[mikecrowder23]

Ting ting is pretty good once he's out of his cage and on my shoulder but once i open his lid and my hand comes in the general direction he is running all over the place trying to climb the walls. He's quit trying to bite but he still hates me in there even if i'm just cleaning up. Once he's out he's alot easier to handle except for the occassion he tries to run. How do i remedy this, i've tried just leaving my hand in there for a while, sitting with him leaving my shirt in there for him to smell. What is the trick to this. Also he won't eat outside of his cage, i have a very large and deep droor that's empty that i've tried to put him and his food in a couple of times and he won't eat, i don't know if it's because he's still jacked up from me taking him out of his cage or what. Info would be much appreciated.

 

[jmiles50]

Very good looking baby!

 

[Toby_H]

Patience is a virtue...

The little guy has only been with you for a week or so and has only been alive for a month or soÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?¦ Nature has programmed him to be jumpy as in nature at this age/stage/size he is prey not predatorÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?¦

I found moving slow and steady, being gentle yet persistent and ensuring I give the feet something to Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?Å?standÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢ on (not dangling) my Tegu (Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?Å?08 Varnyard) quickly became accustom to me and soon after began to appreciate coming out of her cage.

Since being picked up is a frightening event, it makes sense that soon after is not such a good time to eat. I would suggest holding him for as long as practical giving him plenty of time to calm down. Then place him in the feeding bin to eat.

Most of us see the videos of super affectionate Tegus and are eager to have thatÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?¦ then we get our baby and quickly become worried our skittish little guy wonÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢t ever be that wayÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?¦ then most of us are astonished at how quickly they become hand tame. Mine has yet to display the Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??affectionÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã? we see in some of the videos, but I am still quite impressed at how friendly & docile she isÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?¦

Arg Tegus are amazing animalsÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?¦ just give him time to prove it to you

 

[Toby_H]

PS - It sounds like you are taking the right steps to get there... keep up the good work.

 

[mikecrowder23]

Thanks for the advice and i understand where he is coming from, i had just read guys who were talking about handling their new fella and didn't mention anything like that. But thanks for the info. Also does this look like a better setup since he can soak and it will increase the humidity or is there not enough room to roam?


Oh and he finally ate his first pinky last night, I'm so proud. And he massacres his turkey, liver and cod oil.

 

[jmiles50]

Well, as long as that's a proper bulb you're using it looks fine to me

 

[Toby_H]

What is the hump on the far left? is that his hide?

Does he have to walk through the water to get from one side ot the other (pic doesn't show the very front)?

You may consider rotating the water dish 90* to allow for more walking space between the water and the front of the bin. Monitor the water temp but I doubt it will get too warm via the basking light...

 

[mikecrowder23]

I'll try twisting the dish to give him a little more room, and yes it is a 160w mercury vapor.

 

[mikecrowder23]

oh and it's one of those log hydes.