Rescue - Darla

[desz0000]

So we just recently rescued an argentine b/w female. She was posted on Craigslist for 250 with enclosure. The post said his roommate took off and left his stuff, including his lizard. Goes on to say that they have no intention of taking care of her they just want to recoup some money. Very skinny in the post's pictures. So I emailed him and said if he is in a tight spot that I would take her for a small fee not 250. So we worked out out to 50 bucks. I drove the hour and a half to pick her up. No water or uvb in the enclosure. And a shadow of a Lizard laying on the bottom. He goes on to say she was never handled, only was fed live mice and meal worms. So we pack her up and the enclosure and take her home.

 

[desz0000]

I'll put pics up of her when we first got her and recent ones one my phone cooperates.

 

[desz0000]

So I was told she is three. I would say about 2 1/2 feet. She was pretty lethargic. She took food and water no problem. I did get bit the first night changing her water. For the first two weeks she was very aggressive. Gloves were used indeed for taking her out of her temporary tank. Once she was out her temperament wasn't too bad. It is truly amazing how far she has come with her attitude. No more gloves or cage aggression. However she is very interested in my hands. Even if I'm petting her in my lap, she'll start digging at then with her front get them attempt a bit. Nothing really aggressive but still tries. This is where I need some advice, any tips to get her to loose interest in my hands.

 

[desz0000]

Here she is the first day we had her.

 

[laurarfl]

She is super skinny and dehydrated looking. She may settle down once the hunger subsides. It is likely a food aggression issue brought on by not being fed enough and then associating hands with food. To begin with, I would feed her with tongs. Better yet, I would feed her outside of her enclosure and have the food ready so that you are bringing her to the food rather than the other way around. Wash your hands thoroughly before handling her and handle her after she eats a good meal.

 

[Bubblz Calhoun]

Ditto ^ ^ ^ they catch on quick. Feed her a proper diet and she'll be better in no time.

 

[desz0000]

That is exactly what I have been doing. She is getting better. But still with the hands. Soon as I can get some recent photos up I will. I haven't fed her in her enclosure since we have had her. She gets a bath every morning then I take her into the living room to eat and roam. I handle her after she eats. Washed hands of coarse. She will accept my petting until she sees my hands then opens her mouth as if she will bite, but nothing super aggressive. If she wanted too she could get me every time so fast.

 

[Aardbark]

Congrats on the new tegu. She is so skinny, Im glad to see her in good hands. Keep us updated, I look forward to seing pics of her all nice and fat.

 

[desz0000]

Thanks man. She's been quite the handful but she'll come around I think.

 

[desz0000]

Here's a recent one I'll get some more up soon

 

[Aardbark]

Wow, that's already so much better.

 

[desz0000]

I know right. It's amazing how fast she had snapped back. Crazy how fast they can put on weight. Seems like she is never full

 

[desz0000]

Fat Darla after her 5mouse Christmas meal.

 

[laurarfl]

She looks so much better. I think she will come around and settle down in time. I had one that was like that. it seemed like she would jump up to grab hands and chase your feet. Then one day she just quit. She just got a little older and a little bigger, filled out some and became quite a manageable pet lizard. I've even taken her to a couple of library shows for educational programs. She's great.

 

[desz0000]

She is actually coming around fairly quickly. The past few days she has accepted my petting with no aggression, falling asleep and pushing back as i rubbed her head and back. She even let me peel shed off her face and head . No problems. I think she will be just fine as time goes on. Thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it

 

[Sticktofl]

Hey I have a

She is actually coming around fairly quickly. The past few days she has accepted my petting with no aggression, falling asleep and pushing back as i rubbed her head and back. She even let me peel shed off her face and head . No problems. I think she will be just fine as time goes on. Thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it

Hey I have a jumpy tegu that doesn't like getting taken out of the cage and is squirmy what would u suggest