Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is wrong with him? He only eats one raw turkey meatball a day, is this normal? I just baught a lot of crickets to see if he'll eat these... any input would be great
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Lover of Albinos

How long have you had him/how old/where did you get him/what species/where do you live/etc. I think burrowing and being lazy is in the job description for tegus! If I had known beforehand that they are not visible most of the time, I would probably have chosen some other species, but not anymore! Even thought they burrow so much, the time I get to spend with him is even more valuable. If he seems to be sick or something or if this is new behavior, then maybe the vet is the best to ask. Hope this helps.
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-Bill

1.0.0 Albino California Kingsnake
0.1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.1.0 Leucistic Patternless Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Red Flame Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu

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BoidsNTegus@insightbb.com

How long have you had him/how old/where did you get him/what species/where do you live/etc

I've had him for about 5 days now, he's about 3 months I'm guessing, Got him at the Raleigh Reptile expo, Argentine, NC... He seems healthy...But I see people mentioning their tegus eating extreme amounts of food and mine only eats 1 turkey meatball a day...
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Lover of Albinos

If you've only had him that short of a time, he may just be acclimating to the new surroundings, plus the stress of the show you got him at. Let him settle a while, the appetite and activity will come. I agree with below, you should try to feed some live food, get your tegu something to be excited about. Maybe try to limit your interaction for a while also. My tegu, now about 25", didn't like me messing with him, and he would always skulk away to his burrow after handling or any other contact. Maybe he figures if he stays buried, he's safe from you? Hope this helps.
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-Bill

1.0.0 Albino California Kingsnake
0.1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.1.0 Leucistic Patternless Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Red Flame Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu

My Home Page

BoidsNTegus@insightbb.com

I am going to try to offer a wider variety today... He has unlimited access to mealworks since i just keep a small bowl full of them--I'm not sure if he eats/how many he eats. He has not tried fruit yet, but I've only offered banana so far... I'm gonna give fish and pinkies a very soon and post my results
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0.0.3 Whites tree frogs
0.0.1 Blizzard leopard gecko
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White tegu
0.1 Tremper leopard gecko
0.1 Het. tremper leopard gecko

Ya gotta try more stuff that moves around. Tons of crickets!!! I'll put 5 superball sized turkey balls in his dish, he'll eat 2 or three then walk away, but he'll eat 2 hoppers or a half dozen gold fish immediatly after.

How do you feed the goldfish? In his waterbowl or something similar or do you just let them flop around in a food dish? I think I am going to run out to get a pinky and maybe some feeder goldfish to try my luck... There is a good chance I'm going to start a discoid roch colony soon... Hopefully he'll like those--I know my frogs will!

Also, He doesn't mind being handled... He comes out during the day to basket and such... I think i'm concluding he's just lazy
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Lover of Albinos

Just throw them in the tank, mine will eat them till the sun comes up, but won't even bother if they are in a bowl swimming aroung for some reason. Let em flop around, it's a blast to watch em chase em around.
Dan

I'll have to try that... Thank you.
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0.0.3 Whites tree frogs
0.0.1 Blizzard leopard gecko
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White tegu
0.1 Tremper leopard gecko
0.1 Het. tremper leopard gecko

Well he ate one today! good advice... I'll have to buy more soon
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0.0.3 Whites tree frogs
0.0.1 Blizzard leopard gecko
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White tegu
0.1 Tremper leopard gecko
0.1 Het. tremper leopard gecko