I've had Boas, pythons, and Iguanas. This is my first Tegus. A baby. I ordered him from a store offline. I do not in any manner blame anyone, well maybe FedEx. An overnight shipment brought my new baby to my door. A firm knock and the person left. Thank God I heard that knock. I brought my baby in knowing what was inside. Live Animal was on the box. I opened the box and pulled gently away the styroform. A white bag, with gender on it and newspaper is what I found. No movement. I reached in and picked up the bag it was ICE cold. My heart did that number that men don't like to admit. I reach inside and that little baby was non moving and ice cold. First reaction I stuck him next to my bare body and grabbed the phone. I called a friend in panic as that little ice cold body stayed against me. After about 15 or 20 minutes my guess I felt movement. Then the little fellow crawled listfully up to my shoulder and into my hair (long hair) Still pretty cold I left it in my hair against my neck. I felt after a while a curious tongue flick against my neck. I still made no effort to remove the what I would guess tramatized little fellow. Now all my pets are my family. I house four beautiful firebelly toads, 2 aquatic frogs that live with tank mates the huge Orandas. All doing very well. They sing to me each night, well not the Orandas. So this was truama to me as well finally I got the little fellow warm and called another friend to rush me a heating pad. This heating pad has a nice cushioned sleeve. I fixed his little home with it, safe water, light, and a hide away. He seem to be perking up. I talked to him as I checked and removed any droppings that fell. He crawled in my hand and seem to want to go with me. I didn't fall for that. The little fellow is spiffy fast I found out that when a noise spooked him and he scampered like an angry fast wind across the couch. His tongue had started turning pink again all except for the tip, which is slightly white. He seems alert. I don't know what labored breathing is in his breed. I know snakes can breath pretty fast in the best of health compared to our breathing. He has eatten. I just need some assurance on what to look for, or beware of since his tiny form went through a very truamatized incident. I worry enough about my healthy critters, or as I call them my children. Any suggestions? I believe if I hadn't heard that door he would not have made even 30 minutes longer. He seems alert, good coloring. Curious. No muscus or filmy eyes. And did I mention he has some speed? His name is Tago for the simple fact I kept calling the breed Tagos and not Tegus. He's a Columbia Gold Tegus. His age I'm not sure but he measure about I would guess including tail length 9-12 inches. Man or not I would be crushed if I missed something and he passed away.
Thank-You
A worried father,
KD.
