Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay guys, I need some advice. My colombian black and white has been recently biting his tail. For about the past four days he's just been attacking the tip. To the point where it bleeds and it looks a little mangled. I've already shceduled a vet visit to check him over.

Has anyone had any experience with this? I just don't get it. He's eating fine, temps are fine, cage is clean. Just weird.

Lindsay

My red bit her tail a couple weeks ago, but nothing as extreme as yours. For a few days, while she was out exploring she'd do a lot of slow "curling up in a circle" lizard maneuvers, and when her tail was near her head, she slowly opened her mouth and clamped down on her tail. She immediately let go, explored some more, circled, clamped & released. She didn't do any damage, and it was almost humorous, like a dog chasing its tail.

Like yours, her eating/temps/cage are fine. I haven't seen her do it since, nor noticed any tail damage. I've never seen my gold tegu do this. Weird!

Could have some un-shed skin stuck on the tail causing some discomfort. This might lead to tail chewing. Twenty years ago I had the same problem with a Col. B&W. Mine lost a few inches of tail as a result. Make sure to provide a humid shelter so that shedding occurs normally.

That's an interesting observation, and makes perfect sense.

When my red was chasing/biting her tail, she had already shed completely, but she does occasionally having shedding issues with her tail. (Humidity is fine, it's tricking her into eating Vit C fruit!)

She seems to enjoy chasing things, especially ordinary non-food household items. If/when she bites her tail again, I'll keep an eye out for shedding issues.

With 20 yrs tegu experience, I'm sure you have some great stories!