Whats the best way to feed a tegu?

[dragonqueen4]

Hi guys, havent been on here in a while. My tegu is doing pretty good since his surgery and I recently bought another b/w argentine, its a male and hes 32 inches.
Anyway, both are cage aggressive due to being fed in their cage. What is the best way to go about feeding them (they are not housed together btw). I know I should feed them outside of their cage, but should I put the food down without them seeing me with it and walk away so they dont associate me with food at all?? What do you guys do when feeding??
thx,
Leanne

 

[TehPenguin]

Place food in a feeding tub prior to bringing in your tegu. Place your tegu in feeding bin. This will make them think that your being such a sweetheart bringing them to their lunch, not bringing lunch to them.

 

[Jer723]

well i show them the food and put it in with them, my tegu doesnt care, he isnt the slightest bit aggressive, i think it just depends on the gu. but if they arer quite aggressive i would go about it the way he said.

 

[omgtaylorg]

The best way honestly is to do it in a different feeding bin by putting the food in the bin prior to putting the tegu in that way they associate the bin as the source of food, and not your fingers, that way when they see your fingers they wont charge them thinking you have food...not out of agression but out of being hungry which tegus always are. I will say though that I feed both of my tegus in the cage on big plates and dont have a problem as Ive had them both very tame for a while now and handle almost everyday. So its just what works for you but my first suggestion is best to start with. Also avoids impaction.

 

[dragonqueen4]

thanks guys, that sounds like a good plan!!!
i tried it tonight and he wouldnt eat in the bin and as soon as i put him back in his tank and put his food in there and he ate it. i guess hes nervous when hes out. im going to keep trying the bin though! thx

 

[LouDog760]

Take your time. They will eat in there in time, try it when he's really hungry!