hatchling "picky" about eating circumstances?

[HeatherN]

my new extreme, Tarot, seems to have this weird thing where, except for the first day, he won't eat unless he is standing on my hand and being fed with tongs at the same time. I've never heard about this little quirk, and I'm not sure how to react to it. when put in his bin to eat off of a stoneware plate, he ignores it after smelling it a bit. at best, hell take a bite or two from the tongs, then go back to ignoring the food. he's not very fond or trusting of me, so it seems strange that he seems to have to be in my hand to eat anything more than half a mouthful. but he is very polite about it, when the pieces fall on my hand, if he picks them up, he does so very gently. :sleepy:

he most likely will grow out of it i think, but I'm interested to hear if anyone has had similar experiences, or ideas about this strange little behavior, and how to react to it. honestly, i don't mind, but id have to go through the whole process of calming him down to pick him up (again) which is no small task lol.

 

[james.w]

Many tegus will not eat in a feeding bin due to the fact it is a new environment. It is weird that he will eat in your hand though. Try feeding in his enclosure and go from there.

 

[murph89]

My tegu, Phillip, is the same exact way! I got him a week ago tomorrow, from Underground Reptiles, not Varnyard, though. He will only eat out of my hand, less so out of my boyfriend's, but still will. I can't figure it out, but he's also very gentle about it. Interesting that mine's not the only one

 

[HeatherN]

thats really weird. maybe feeding in the enclosure initially will keep him form freaking out if i make too sudden a movement too.

 

[tommylee22]

My tegu will not step on a white plate but if I move the food off of it and in front of him he eats it. but like you all he loves to eat from tongs without having to work for it. Now he will chase some Dubias no problem. I think its the feeding bin or what the food is served on that freaks them out.

 

[Murkve]

Mentioning the color of the plate makes me think that this might be part of it. My Tegu, though I mostly tong feed, will eat off of a plate inside his enclosure, if offered. The plate I offer is made from terra cotta, what they make plant pots from. This color is likely much more natural looking, and the terra cotta more natural feeling, to our young Tegus.

I'm not sure it could work, but it's worth a try, right?

 

[HeatherN]

id have to do some cleaning, all my terra cotta stuff is pretty gross from being under plant pots lol

 

[Murkve]

If you do try it, let me know how it goes! I'm of course hoping for the best, but it is just a hunch.

 

[TuTegu]

Re: RE: hatchling "picky" about eating circumstances?

My tegu, Phillip, is the same exact way! I got him a week ago tomorrow, from Underground Reptiles, not Varnyard, though. He will only eat out of my hand, less so out of my boyfriend's, but still will. I can't figure it out, but he's also very gentle about it. Interesting that mine's not the only one

Would you recommend underground reptiles? & are they captive bred?