Dana C
Member
- Messages
- 633
While I don't have a lot of years (8) of experience, I have read every care sheet, every scientific paper in print, every article and hundreds of Tegu posts on multiple web site. While many of you will vehemently disagree, I just have to post this.
Many people getting their first Tegu, or any large lizard for that matter, are duped into believing that the care sheet they read is gospel and should be followed to the letter. They they begin reading posts on this forum and others and think that if their Tegu isn't just like the ones being discussed there is some thing wrong.
Care sheets give you parameters for tegu husbandry. Some specify specific temperatures, foods, substrate, moisture levels, lighting and so on.
For example most indicate a 110-115 basking area. When you observe your Tegu not using it and staying away from basking, many assume something is wrong when in fact your tegu is telling you she doesn't like that much heat. Some care sheets say that 70+% humidity is a must as do many on this forum. Your tegu may not like it and will do just fine with less. If it is bathed frequently...well you get the point. Substrate is a hot topic as well. Through last year, most would tell you that cypress is the only way to go. Well cypress in large bales is near impossible to find and the 24 quart bags at Petsmart at $18+ is too expensive if you need 32 of them to fill a large enclosure. Guess what, aspen, clean dirt, peat moss and hard wood shavings work just as well.
Another "must" on some care sheets and from some people is the notion that whole prey, (FT), is the only way to go. Guess what, I posted a list of web sites that all had nutrition information for mice, rats, ground meat mixes and supported by actual blood chemistry done on animals being fed same. I recieved no comments so I have to assume that no one bothered to visit the sites.
The point that I am trying to make and perhaps failing in the attempt is: Listen to your tegu. It will tell you what is ok and what is not" If it wants to hibernate in the spring and it is an import, let it. If it hates FT mice, don't worry about it. Don't waste your money buying them and trying to trick your tegu into eating them. Do watch for health issues, being under weight, injuries etc. Do provide UVB lighting and clean water and a modicum of humidity. Do give your tegus regular baths. Do ask for source material and personal experiences for things you read on this forum and others. Someone who has read or done the science is likely going to provide better information than someone who hasn't.
If your tegu isn't as tame as someone else's that you might read about, give it time or accept that it is the way it is. They are individuals like humans and no matter what you call it, they are still wild animals even though they may like and even crave your attention. They are not domestic animals like dogs or cats. Do however pay lots of attention to your lizards if you hope to develop the kind of bond you read about.
Don't be afraid to step outside the box. Your tegu will usually set you straight.
Many people getting their first Tegu, or any large lizard for that matter, are duped into believing that the care sheet they read is gospel and should be followed to the letter. They they begin reading posts on this forum and others and think that if their Tegu isn't just like the ones being discussed there is some thing wrong.
Care sheets give you parameters for tegu husbandry. Some specify specific temperatures, foods, substrate, moisture levels, lighting and so on.
For example most indicate a 110-115 basking area. When you observe your Tegu not using it and staying away from basking, many assume something is wrong when in fact your tegu is telling you she doesn't like that much heat. Some care sheets say that 70+% humidity is a must as do many on this forum. Your tegu may not like it and will do just fine with less. If it is bathed frequently...well you get the point. Substrate is a hot topic as well. Through last year, most would tell you that cypress is the only way to go. Well cypress in large bales is near impossible to find and the 24 quart bags at Petsmart at $18+ is too expensive if you need 32 of them to fill a large enclosure. Guess what, aspen, clean dirt, peat moss and hard wood shavings work just as well.
Another "must" on some care sheets and from some people is the notion that whole prey, (FT), is the only way to go. Guess what, I posted a list of web sites that all had nutrition information for mice, rats, ground meat mixes and supported by actual blood chemistry done on animals being fed same. I recieved no comments so I have to assume that no one bothered to visit the sites.
The point that I am trying to make and perhaps failing in the attempt is: Listen to your tegu. It will tell you what is ok and what is not" If it wants to hibernate in the spring and it is an import, let it. If it hates FT mice, don't worry about it. Don't waste your money buying them and trying to trick your tegu into eating them. Do watch for health issues, being under weight, injuries etc. Do provide UVB lighting and clean water and a modicum of humidity. Do give your tegus regular baths. Do ask for source material and personal experiences for things you read on this forum and others. Someone who has read or done the science is likely going to provide better information than someone who hasn't.
If your tegu isn't as tame as someone else's that you might read about, give it time or accept that it is the way it is. They are individuals like humans and no matter what you call it, they are still wild animals even though they may like and even crave your attention. They are not domestic animals like dogs or cats. Do however pay lots of attention to your lizards if you hope to develop the kind of bond you read about.
Don't be afraid to step outside the box. Your tegu will usually set you straight.
