Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When I first got my blue tegu three weeks ago he was finishing up a shed, Now he's shedding all over again, and a lot lot of skin is comming off I need to know;

Why do they shed?
Is there complications I shiould look for?
What can I do to make it quicker?
Should I soak him?
Can I peel off the acess skin?

I need to know as much as I can on sheding

for a growing 2 1/2 foot long tegu how many mice would you feed him a meal his appitite seems insatiatiable but lately with a mouse every second day he still seems starved.

And today when I put my hand in his cage he charged forward and bit me quite hard. Then he ranway like "OH my god that was human......" When i put my hand near him again he arched his back into my hand begging for a rub..

Feed him until he's done, obviously he is going to be prone to an attitude if he's not. He didnt intend to bite you I am sure, just letting you know it's time to eat. Try giving him a few fruits if he will take them, offer more than mice in other words.
As far as the shedding thing, you can help it if you like, supply him with a cat litter pan (clean) filled with water. Keep that as his water bowl, you want something big enough for him to get in and out of whenever he wants, it helps with humidity too. Dont stress out on shedding, since reptiles cant take baths, they shed. It is actually more clean than us. They get a new skin every so often! As far as problem areas, look for any parts that dont shed, but dont freak out if it only doesnt shed from a spot once. Sometimes they will lode a part of the shed before you even see it, so take into account if you see that his "head" for example hasnt shed in two shedding periods, then make a note to watch closely for the third time to make sure it does.

Anyone else have anything else to offer?

When My reds are that size I offer them a mouse every day or so but I always offer fresh fruit. This is important for a good shed. They need the vitimans. Just make sure that the temps are hot enough to digest the food. It's starting to cool off here in Miami and everyone is eating less. Days are shorter and barametric pressure changes can be felt by tegus as well. Tegus can and will over eat so watch the weight... If you are going to brumate him let him get a little heavier.

Shedding simply means they are growing out of their old skin. You do need to watch for areas that don't shed well. Tail and toes are key areas that if they dont shed properly your tegu could loose a toe or more. I use cement mixing tubs from home depot and put a CBS block in there to help them climb out when they are small. If they do not shed properly around the toes and tails you will need to help them after a couple of days. Keep humidy up and lots of fruit and you should be OK.

BTW are you feeding live f/k or frozen? Live will provoke a stronger feeding response. A strong feeding response could lead to aggressiveness when you put your hand in the cage. dont let your tegu associate your hand and food or you will be the next meal.

good luck

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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

He is feed fresh killed mice, my ferret does the killing and I drop the mouse into the cage he comes charging over. what kind of fruits? the vet told me to stay away from fruits or over feeding him fruits? Apples ok? what is the best kind, and um... what's Burmate??

mine dont really care for apples. they love bannana(they eat them whole), papaya, mango, avacado, grapes, melons, berries, oranges,(no seeds)... you have to try different ones at different times and see what yours likes (taste will change over time). stick with bite size. When we feed turkey burgers they also get greens mixed in with fruit. I don't think you will have a problem with overeating of fruit. The older they get the more they will aquire a taste for it. with younger ones we hide a lot of it in the turkey.

Check out www.beautifuldragons.com for a list of fruits. Look for stuff hi in vitimal C too.

Fruits are essential for healthy skin and clean sheds.

Brumation is like hibernation but not a deep sleep. when winter rolls in, daylight hours are less and barametric pressure changes they will sleep more and eat less.

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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com