Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Taz is shedding and it was pretty nice outside today so I just had to take some pics! I included one were you can kind of see his Hemipene.

Nice pictures as always. I wonder why that shed behind the legs to the middle of the tail is the last shed to go??? Sometimes I work on it trying to get the shed off. That part sticks like it was glued on. When it's ready it will come right off several days later.

Mike B

Thanks, it seems like the tail is usually the last to shed. I've seen it where they shed their different parts in different orders though. Here's a pic of how he looked on his way home last night. Kinda shedding from the middle first this time I guess.

He seems like such a cool Tegu! I hope my boy, The Blue Raja, grows up with as much personality! (I'll pretend I didn't see Taz's "thingy" )
JonV

So, how do they use that thing to mate, anyway?

Haha sorry maybe I should have put up a warning for that picture too. Actually I think they have two hemipenes. That’s how you can tell a male tegu. I'm really not sure how they mate but I think he wants to show Jazz (our female tegu). He starts making a weird breathy noise like he's excited. He sometimes tries to climb on her... but she moves. It's hard for us to head him off too; he’s actually very strong when he’s determined. Thankfully it has only happened a couple times that I've seen. Maybe they've already mated though. I wonder how that works with her making a nest type thing for her eggs? (even if they're not fertile) Will she get mad at Taz being around at that time? So far they've gotten along great even when they first met (maybe a little too good hehe).

I think Tegu Tails shed last because their round, while in most monitors they are flattened, so when the tail is moved up and down, the shed is more likely to split and seperate, while in a Tegu when the tail moves in any direction, it doesn't stretch as much as a flattened tail, and is less likely to split.

they usually don't shed in pieces.

Mike B

Yeah, but their scales face backward more prominantly, their shed is not as thick (Compared to size of the snake), and they shed differently than a Tegu.

My Tegu always sheds his tail first, and the rest comes 1-2 days later.
JonV

I've said before, if you compare how one Tegu sheds to another there is some sort of difference. Nienna sheds the scales on her head one by one, then around the time she is done there her whole body sheds, usually starting with her feet, then her tail several days later, and if you look at the shed while its on her body, there is a visible line between her tail and hips where the shed is not as seperated as the rest of her body. One person who was worried about the shed on their Tegus head because it was late. The Tail seems to be the most common to be shed last or have problems shedding. Makes sense to me anyway.

Amigo sheds his head exactly the same way as you described, one scale at a time, and while the rest of his body is shedding in chunks, his head continues to go little by little, very odd, I'm glad that someone else has had this happen too.

Leyla & "Meego"

Rollin,

Every time I look at a pic of Taz he just looks like a giant monster version of my Amigo, he is gorgeous!!!

Ley x

Thanks! I know what you mean, sometimes he seems like a giant version of the way I remember my tegu boy too. They grow up so fast. When I look at your pics it reminds me of what Taz was like lol. I think Amigo looks a lot like Taz did (with the pattern, lack of the big dark spot by his front arms). Did you get Amigo from agamainternational.com (like Taz is)?

Hey rollin,

Yep, I got Amigo back in August from Bert (agama int.) at the Daytona expo, he was a tiny 16 inches when I bought him, and he is now just over 26" I guess he was born sometime during the summer. I have a feeling that Meego and Taz have got some similar bloodlines somewhere!!! Meego is also an avid swimmer too, and loves the water! the videos are awesome by the way

Ley x

Sounds like Amigo is doing awesome, oh and it sounds like you guys are doing your part well too hehe. You're right about Taz; you can tell by those swimming videos (below) that he has the aquatic gene. Unfortunately I haven't been taking them to the river lately because the water's getting cold. It was warm enough to bring him out to the back yard today though I thought this one video take was kinda neat because it illustrates the system we've been using. The deal is; I'll carry him outside or put him in the tub but he can get back on his own when he sees fit. He knows the way back from outside I just have to open the door for him. When I put him in the tub for a SHALLOW bath sometimes I go upstairs assured that within an hour I'll see him making his way up the stairs on his way home.

BTW Asia2003 You might want to show Amigo this instructive video , it was at about 3 3/4' (not far off!) that it became awkward for us to carry Taz while trying to open doors, put on your shoes etc... If he gets uncomfortable when you’re doing that stuff and tries to change his position the claws might dig in under his weight. Taz has always been pretty comfortable lying on the couch with us so we can hold him like that no problem... well until he decides to go home. He's so independent now.

http://mavweb.mnsu.edu/toupar/landho.MOV
http://mavweb.mnsu.edu/toupar/Tazswimming.MOV
New video clip

Hey Rollin,

Both my husband and I were watching that movie this morning in amazement, firstly because Taz knows exactly where he is going (so far the only bee line that Meego has is the one directly under my pillow as soon as we let him out of the enclosure!!), and secondly because it is so hard to picture meego that big!! Again, we thoroughly enjoyed the clip though, I could watch Taz home movies all day!! I have a digital camera, that we can take 5 mins of video with, so maybe I will film Meego tonight and add a movie of my own

Leyla x

Yeah you two should put up some videos for us, I want to see him go under your pillow! Anything in particular you want to see while I have this camera? If I would have had 5 mins of video I could have followed Taz all the way home. I shouldn't complain though because the camera I own doesn't even have one second of video mode. I think I’m going to have to return the camera tomorrow. That's why we're taking so many pics lately : p

That's a cool pic, Rollin! I can't believe my guy will be that big someday! I have to get a video camera so I can post some vids.
JonV