Is this good taming progress

[jaypops]

Hi guys!

I just recently got my 7 week old Argentine black and white tegu. I have a few questions on taming (I did 2 years on studying the animal, health, food, requirements, and how to make it a friend). But like always, things don't always go as scripted. Sorry for the long post in advance.

So, they day i got him, I had to pick him up from the airport, he was in a plastic container inside a box. When i opened the box to get out the container, he was VICIOUS, tail whipping, mouth opened, jumping at me (well trying to, he couldn't get through the lid). I put the container into tje terrarium, and as i was opening the lid he jumped through almost getting me. I understand he was in defensive mode, and i knew it was a bad first impression fo him lol. So, with ths knowledge I've gained in the reading, I knew it will take some time to gain trust. So for the first week at least i have to Ignore him, just do chores and do not try to touch him. I know slow and steady wins the race and am ok with it. Well, I knew he didn't eat the day before, so i gave him food, i was about to leave to give him space, but he went to the food and began eating while i was there. He left some food so i know he was full. When I took out his dish, i decided to leave my hand in there just so he can see i am no threat, and expected him to hiss and puff, but instead, he showed interest and came to my hand, licked it, crawled on, then walked off. I was shocked. The next day, same thing. The day after, he layed on my hand and stayed there. I figured at this point, hes showing interest before me, so i did the same, and he let me pet under his chin and dozed off for a bit. It's only been 4 days i have him, but this seems awfully fast, and am confused if i should try to hold him to take him to a new bin, or wait until he shows zero signs of stress (kind of opens his eyes fast, slightly sits up, but no hissing or puffing). I really don't want to rush anything, but he seems to be "taming" down extremely fast.

I hope i can start having him out earlier than anticipated.

 

[SamBobCat]

My apologies that no one replied. How is he doing? It may just be dumb luck! Congrats if it is hahaha

 

[jaypops]

Lop no prob. Well now its getting better, I can take him out, but he gets a little squirmy but not thrashy. I don't let him free roam yet because he seems to try to get away, but I guess it's just curiosity. I just want him to want to hang with me lol

 

[SamBobCat]

He will with time. Mine was very calm out of his box when I unpacked him but the next day he was pretty jumpy. They are usually a bit feisty in their cages but once out they become a lot calmer. Do you have any pics you could share?

 

[jaypops]

Good to know. Today I let him free roam the bathroom with me in it. It went a l9t bettet than expected. No trouble picking him back up. Almost completely tame I would think. Just jumpy at any subtle movement. But he crawled a lot on me and even dozed off for a couple minutes. I wouldn't call it 100% tame until he seeks my attention .

I have pics, just don't know how to upload them from my phone :s

 

[SamBobCat]

Lol do you have the app?

 

[jaypops]

Nope. Where do I get it? I checked google store (I have android).

 

[SamBobCat]

You have to get the app Tapatalk and then they have a ton of different forums including tegu talk

 

[jaypops]

 

[jaypops]

I don't know why that pic posted multiple times lol. But they are 1 month apart

 

[SamBobCat]

Jeez! He is a very pretty tegu BTW. It seems like you're doing great. Some tegus just tame down faster than others!

 

[jaypops]

I'm so glad to hear that! Thanks today is exactly 1 month I've had him. He will be 3 months old in a week and a half (apparently he/she was born week of March 26th). He just looks fat in the last pictures lol

 

[SamBobCat]

That's awesome! I've had my little boy for three weeks as of tomorrow! My boy is also three months but his past owner didn't feed him every day so his growing slowed down

 

[jaypops]

Nice! Well he's still young, so he should hopefully still hit a growth spurt and somewhat catch up.

 

[marydd]

Sounds like he is doing great! You should try putting an old shirt with your sent on it in his hide. I did that when I first got my gu and she seemed much calmer with me holding her after a few days.

 

[jaypops]

Thanks I was going to do that, but his hide is a hole under his basking rock (soil/sand mix). Not much space at all. I wouldn't want him to get tangled in the shirt and not be able to get out :s

 

[jaypops]

So new progress. I take him out of his terrarium for a fee minutes every day or other day to get used to being handled. He will go on my shoulder, but it feels like he's always looking for a way off. If he's in my hands, he's really squirmy and tries to get out. And if he's on my shoulder amd I sit somewhere, he wants to crawl down and go about and when I try to pick him back up, he kicks a fuss. Is this normal? Am I being to pushy with him?