Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I saw the leash Rollin was using for his tegu while is was swimming (those videos were fascinating by the way, I had never seen a full grown tegu in action before). How is this leash constructed? Is it easy to get out of, or does your tegu just not fight it? How old should they be before you try to introduce a leash?

Cool, I'm glad you liked the videos. The first time I brought them to the river I was so amused I just had to make a video. They swim fast and with enough power to kick up mud from the river bottom. That's the reason I used a leash because I think they could out swim me. Also they seem to think the grass is greener on the other side of the river. When you first bring him outside make sure to have a long leash on him! I say a long leash because he might turn deadly and force you to drag him back in (while keeping your distance). Neither of mine minded the leash in the slightest and it has stayed on. I made it using umm "barrel clamps" I think. It's the kind you find on some jackets or in a fabric type store. That with a little string is very cheep and easier to put on then the store bought leashes. You can kinda see what it looks like in this pic it's right above my left hand. Jiffypop has a better pic I hope she drops by to show you.

swimming video

Many pet stores sell adjustable small animal harneses for small dogs and cats. These have a loop that goes over the head, crosses beneath a ring on the back and loops around and clips behind the front legs. Works fantastic for large tegus.
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I don't believe in luck. Luck is God covering your a** when you screw up.

What exactly do you mean he may turn deadly? I have read before that sometimes a perfectly behaved tegu may go nuts when they are outside, but I thought it was a rumor because I have only heard it once or twice. Does this really happen?

I was worried the first time I brought out my male tegu because I had heard the stories too but he was perfectly fine, didn't mind at all. The next day I brought my female out and immediately I knew something was wrong. She twisted out of my hands onto the lawn so I gave her a few minuets. When I tried to approach her she attacked with such speed I hardly got out of the way. It went on like for quite awhile until I finally dragged her back into the house by the leash. As soon as she was inside she was a total angel again. The next couple times I set her by the door and let her go out on her own. Now she's totally fine with being outside. I suggest you use a long leash the first couple times so you can keep your distance. Also I should mention that I tried about half a dozen various leashes from the pet store. The ones that did fit were a pain to get on them trying to put a strap behind the legs, in front of the legs, and across the two. My tegus didn’t like me fiddling with it so much and it still was hard to get it all tight. Now I’ve got a bunch of useless leather straps, strings, loops, and clamps lying around. The barrel clamps are so much easier to put on and tighten then the leashes I bought not to mention they’re less then a dollar. I got the idea from iguana forums there they call them "hip harnesses". Here's a pic of one of the leashes I bought that I used to use. I don't recommend that one.

Where can you get a barrel clamp? I have no idea what they look like or really what they are (besides that it is a barrel clamp). Would I just go to a Home Depot?

You can kinda see what it looks like in this pic it's right above my left hand. I found the post Jiffy pop posted before. She said they're called barrel clasps. They can be found at any sewing department or in my case I got it off an old jacket.
http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=262344,262711&key=2003

Two more questions about these leashes. I imagine they have to be put on rather tightly to prevent them from squirming looses. Does this not hurt or aggravate them? And also how old should one be before trying to put the leash on them?