I purchased a hatchling dwarf tegu at an expo in 2003. She finally started eating (crickets, pinkies, and waxworms). Now she has changed locations and has not really eaten anything since December, even though is has been offered. I have attempted to research these guys, but not much info is available. Any ideas? Cage temps during the day are in the high 80s or low 90s. She gets misted once a day to add humidity and gets some access to natural sunlight. My main concern is that she has not really grown since I bought her. Please help!
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dwarf tegu not feeding
audreysmith
Mar 10, 2004 09:57 AM
Replies (4)
boidsntegus
Mar 10, 2004 11:40 AM
Are you using supplements? The food you are describing is low in nutrients and especially calcium. I dust my tegus food 2x a week with calcium and 1x a week with a vitamin powder. Also, do you gut load the insects? This can also be very important. If they don't get enough calcium especially when they are young, they may have growth problems, most likely in the bones. They can also get MBD (metabloic bone disease).
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-Bill
1.0.0 Albino California Kingsnake
0.1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.0.1 Axolotl Salamander
0.0.1 Red Flame Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu
audreysmith
Mar 10, 2004 03:55 PM
I do dust with a calcium supplement (Rep-Cal) each time a food item is offered. Since she is so sporadic in feeding, I just do it each time. I also gut-load my feeder insects on monkey chow, sweet potato, apple, and greens. The fact that I do this has added to my confusion as to why she has not grown. Thanks for your response. If you have any other ideas, I am definitely open to more suggestions
russ1066
Mar 10, 2004 04:13 PM
How big is your dwarf tegu? Again Your temps seem to low for there basking site. Also they are very Skittish lizards and are not recomend to handle that often, Basicly there display lizards. I have a care sheet that I go in to detail about them . Thanks Russ
russ1066
Mar 10, 2004 02:32 PM
First of all Your basking temps are too low I would use 120 degrees as a basking temp. Sencond thid lizards come from a semi arid to arid ares of Chile . Humidity should be 30-50%, with 50% being on the high end . I have a care sheet for these guys . If you want one you can email me At russpettit@yahoo.com . Thanks Russ
