Newbie Questions

[stevoluvmunchkin]

Hello! I recently purchased a yearling Argentine black and white tegu and have some questions about taming her. She is very skittish. I have taken her out and let her roam around in my small living room and everytime I try to pet her or pick her back up to hold her she jumps and starts running even though I always approach her very slowly. She doesn't run or hide when I sit next to her viv. And she has never tried to bite or tail whip me. Is there something I can do to make her less skittish around us? I am hoping that a yearling isn't too old for her to bond with me. Thanks in advance for any advice!!

 

[laurarfl]

Welcome to the forum!

There are a lot of yearling b/w's being sold right now that are WC from FL. I don't know if yours falls into that category. The best advice I can give at this point is to keep the roaming area small so that you aren't chasing her. Start working with her in a bathroom and let her get used to you just being there. Let her approach you and smell you and walk over you. Then when she gets comfortable you can touch her as she walks on you. Taming a skittish pet takes a little time and consistency, but it can be done and is very rewarding.

 

[Lizard_boy]

Is there a bread of tegus that are smaller than regular ones???

 

[Michael Soto]

colombians are known to be the smaller ones