Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey,

Name's Mikal or Mike (whichever works). New to the forum, however I've been following along for some weeks now. I currently have 3 arg. b/w (18"-22", 2 col. b/w(12" -), and a red arg. (newest addition)(18"-22". I will get ahold of a digi. cam soon and post pictures of all of them.

My question is for my red. Just had him shipped from Florida a week ago. He looks to have had a rough life to this point. Very healthy weight, and fairly tame for this age. Never snapped at me, like my others, but he's very nervous, and trys his best to escape me when I hold him. He is missing both back toes on his hine legs. Has what appears to be healed scratches near his backside. His hine legs seems to be light colored, somewhat like dead skin. My main concern is his tail. I've heard of many situations and many solutions for this, but his tail seems to have missed shed. I'll try my best to describe it until I can post pictures. It appears he went through full sheds atleast a couple times, his skin is all very clean and new, with exception of his tail. It looks old, dead, and tight, condom wrapped somewhat. Forgive me for that, just trying my best. His tail at the point of the dead skin is skinnier with the appearance that it has been constrained to grow because the skin won't fall off. I examined closely to see if I can peel off, but it doesn't appear that it would be good for him. I'd hate for him to lose his tail.
He is scheduled for a vet appt. in the morning, and he may have some suggestions, but my herp vet isn't real familiar with tegus, so I was hoping for some alternative advice in this chat.
My red loves baths, loves submerging in tepid water and even under the faucet. I've let him soak almost every other day since I got him, but no sign of improvement.

I guess I have one more question. Right now, I am housing him with my arg. b/ws. They seem to get along, in fact one of my females hangs around him all the time. But he seems to prefer to be alone. Why? Is this ok I house them together? It almost appears my reptiles have segregated themselves.

Mikal

My red's tail had that constrained look too when I got him last year. He was about 14-15 inches when I got him and he is now over 3 feet. I worry about that tail too and when he is shedding I will soak him in a tub of warm water. Thats a good time to change the substrate, too. I use cypress bark and when I change it the humidity jumps to about 85% plus. Normally I keep it at 70%. Make sure it is getting fruit in it's diet. Mine likes cantelope, apples, lite canned fruit cocktail.

Go back through the posts on here. Diet is discussed several times. Someone put together a list.

Mike B

I appreciate your quick response Mike. I've got him on mixed fruits along with canned tegu food and egg, seeing as how he refused the mice offered to him. Just wondering any strategies to immediately remove the skin. Heard vasoline somewhere, but a little bit nervous about trying things like that.

Looking forward to being part of this forum. Can't wait till I get pics posted up. Vet trip is planned for today in about an hour. Wish me luck.