Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've got a Tegu that, instead of constantly running into the side of his cage, likes to jump up and hit the screen. He's getting nose rub because of it.

I don't feed him in the cage, so it's not like he's jumping because he thinks he'll get food.

But COULD he be jumping because he realizes he gets food outside of his cage?

Any ideas how to stop it? Will his nose heal back fine after he stops?

I'm just wondering if there's something temporary I can do until I build a new cage for him.

mine do the same thing. how old is yours? mine were hatched this summer. i think that it may just be their "puppy" stage. i know that i hav good humidity, good temps, good substrate, etc. i don't feed them in the cage, i just think that they are curious. mine haven't hurt their noses doing it, though (i've checked). maybe you just need a taller cage so they don't hit the screen hard enough to hurt anything when they jump up to investigate.
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if nothing else, i at least amuse myself!

I don't actually know when it was hatched, but I'd say some time late last year. Before he lost his tail, he was 15 inches (And without his tail, he is now 15 inches, so I'd say he'd be close to 18-20 with it. No Snout to vent length)

I really don't know where I'd get a taller enclosure (This is a standard 55 gallon he's in right now).

I actually almost considered removing some substrate (He has about 6 inches) But he's such a digging fanatic, I'd almost feel bad doing it.

Maybe it is an age thing, maybe they're just much more hyper at this age.

well, mine are definitely a little over two feet long (but i can't give you any thing more than estimations). i ought to mention that mine don't spend all day jumping, its just one of the many things they do. they have really powerful feeding responses, they dig almost all day long (they have about 8 inches worth of soil mix and tunnels that lead everywhere). i built my tank myself (i took a glass coffee table and cannibalized it). well, i'm hoping that mine calm down (they're nippier than they used to be, but i attribute that and their hyperness to this "puppy" stage). well, good luck and let me know if you figure anything out.
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if nothing else, i at least amuse myself!

>>I've got a Tegu that, instead of constantly running into the side of his cage, likes to jump up and hit the screen. He's getting nose rub because of it.
>>
>>
>>I don't feed him in the cage, so it's not like he's jumping because he thinks he'll get food.
>>
>>But COULD he be jumping because he realizes he gets food outside of his cage?
>>
>>Any ideas how to stop it? Will his nose heal back fine after he stops?
>>
>>
>>I'm just wondering if there's something temporary I can do until I build a new cage for him.

I actually asked Bert about that one not too long ago, if you want to stop nose rub, block out the glass some how. (paint, paper etc) Tegus dont understand why they can see through glass but not walk through it and will spend hours trying to do so. Try taping newspaper or something around the bottom couple of inches of the outside of the glass. Then sit back and watch how wonderful it works.

Jerry
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"Oh my what a beautiful lizard (golden tegu), does it bite?" "No maam, hes a lover, hold him close to your face and give him a kiss"

Yeah, I already know about that. But he's not running into the glass. He's jumping UP and hitting the screen. He'll do it from the middle of the cage, away from all walls, and hit the screen. And I can't cover the screen too easily because I have a sneaking suspicion that my lights will start the paper on fire