Tegu Tails

[ashesc212]

Question - I read someone's post that part of their tegu's tail broke off. Is this something that happens frequently with tegus? Is it from fear or how does it happen? (I'm not talking about tail nips and stuff).

 

[DaveDragon]

That can happen with many reptiles. It's a survival thing. The predator grabs them by the tail, it breaks off and they're left with a uses piece of tail instead of dinner.

When they're young it will grow back but it will be black and not look like it was originally. An older Tegu's tail will grow very slowly and may never fully regenerate.

 

[lizardboy101]

My yearling Chacoan lost his tail when he was younger. I have no idea how, but when I got him he had a fully regenerated black tail...like this

 

[Schnab]

You probably heard that from me (the tail failing off bit) It's a common defence mechanisme in reptiles. Certain species have the ability to break off their tails when they feel threatened, and the tail acts like a lure (nerves makes it wiggle and twitch), distracting the predator enabeling the lizard to get away.

I'm just glad that tegu's only shed a part of their tails, I know that leopard geckos and african fat tail geckos shed the whole thing off, makes them look retarded afterwards.

 

[ashesc212]

Well it's good to know that they can grow back at least.