Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Has anyone observed this tail wiggling in their tegus? Mine does it whether or not I'm there watching him but seems to speed it up when I come near. He's doing it as I type and he seems to want to come out of his cage but I don't have the guts to get him out without any gloves. (He's a new one from Agama and is not very nice as of yet) He has eaten already so I don't think he's hungry and about to strike. I thought it was an aggressive posturing or something, let me know if anyone has seen this in their tegus. Thanks!

he's scared. he is letting you know that he's here and not to mess with him. mine used to do that when he was small. i picked him up anyways and he stopped.

Dang, that's what I was afraid of. I don't want him to be afraid of me! But if he's so scared then why does he seek me out to wave his tail at me... he follows me back and forth from one side to the other, maybe territorial. He really acts like he wants to come out. I'm also worried about his tail coming off if I try to hold him, it's a huge fear of mine and that is the main reason I don't try to hold him. He's just so jumpy but he's a lot better than when I first got him. Thanks for the reply, anyone else?

Mine also does that (and is young like yours). I have been told its much like a nile monitors "tail whip" that they use as a defense. Mine wiggles his tail and then does a tail whip when you get near him. he's ok once you pick him up though. I've been told they grow out of this with age (and of course handling). I was also told that you should not act scared of them when they are doing it, because if you don't show fear then they learn its of no use to do it so they stop. good luck!

yes the tail waving is normally a warning to you, saying hey man ill whip ya a good one. usually they will get used to you and grow out of this. but even with a large one that is used to you. they will whip you. normally when you pick them up because they arent comfortable with being up off the ground. i was puting my 4ft (mostly tail) male blue away this weekend and i didnt have a shirt on. he whipped me right across the chest. that stung a little lol

his tail won't come off unless he's freaking out and you're grabbing it. remember they drop their tail as defense and a chance to get away from whatever is attacking them. i could pull my tegu by his tail along the carpet when he was getting into something he shouldnt be. as long as he is calm and not freaking out, i wouldnt worry about it too much. obviously, i wouldnt pull on the tail when they're little. my tegu was also VERY used to me. mine only did the tail rattle when he was under something and i walked in the room making a lot of noise. once he came out and saw me, he wanted out to run around. if yours is walking to you doing it, then he is just getting real serious about keeping you away from him. just keep holding him and he'll get better.

as they get older they normally dont do this. mine did once after he was a year old.

Thanks for all of the replies everyone. I really hope he gets over this juvenile behavior soom, especially before he gets too big to handle.