Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I have been lurking and learning from all of you for a couple of months. On Memorial day I finally took my daughters (6, 4, & 2) out and we got our FIRST Argentine Red - "Maggie." She is now neighbor to their 2 Corn Snakes. I am in the process of building her permanent home (she's only 10 inches long and temporarily in a 40gal tank.) I have a couple of questions if anyone can help.
** Maggie is very friendly and calm when held. She seems to like her new home, however, she has not eaten anything since we got her 4 days ago. (Offered pinkie, various fruit, and crickets.) I expected a couple of days adjustment, but does anyone have any suggestions, or how long should I let her go before worrying?
** Also, I am building a wooden cabinet style enclosure for her (8w x 4h x 2deep) and am thinking of sealing the interior with resin to make it last and easy to clean. Has anyone had any experience which might indicate any adverse effects of using resin in the cage? Or any recommended products for sealing?

Sorry for the long post. Thanks for all the help. Michael

I would not handel the little guy anymore until he is feeding and it might ber best to leave him in the 40 gallon until he gets bigg enough for the big cage the little guy might get lost in an 8 foot cage. I don't know anything about the resin sorry.

Thanks. We'll let her settle in some more and resist holding her. Any thoughts on how long she can go without eating before it becomes a concern?

(And the new cage won't be ready for some weeks, she'll be calling the 40 gal home for some time. But thanks for the advice.)

MAP

Congrats on your new Red! I am a lurker too, as far as the sealant question I found alot of answers to that question in the caging list. You can do a search on sealants or just ask! I was told a few different kinds and finally decided on a polyurethane and let it dry and air for a full 10 days before my "kid" went inside.

Good luck
Donna

I got a new red yesterday, traded a 5 foot bullsnake and sme loot. Cleaned the 40 gal. breeder tank and set it up. My little one is smaller than yours...last night it ate three med sized crickets that my red/blue cross did't eat. Today it ate five more dusted crickets and a small(tiny)pink. Two things come to mind about your tegu. Is your tank warm enough? The other is your tegu getting ready to shed? Haven't named mine yet...thinking about Miss Piggy or Piglet. Good luck.

Mike

Congrats on the red! The temps could be a factor as someone mentioned. When they shed also they tend to stop eating a bit.
Here's a few other ideas that may work. Try chicken, boiled, and dusted with calcium and vit. D3 supplements. Most tegus love chicken and could trigger her/his appetite. Another factor would be the San Diego Zoo Diet. Most little ones as yours is
need crickets or meat to help promote healthy growth. Try the chicken and or ground turkey (minus the fruit from the SDZ for now) as well.

Good luck!

Greg