Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've got a bit of a problem. My Tegu has managed to break out of it's cage. At first, I was able to do some small fixes to make it more difficult, but it's finally getting to the point that I just can't do it.

Problem is, at this point in time I don't have the money or time to build a second cage. So, I figured making the tegu hibernate would be a good way to get time and money to do it.

I know hibernation is caused by a drop in temp, but how low is safe? If I removed the heat lamp, would that be safe? The temp would hover right around the low to mid 70s.

I've never had a reptile hibernate on me, so it would be a first.

I am not sure you can force your little guy to hybernate. I follow a seasonal change with my tegus temp humidity changes day night cycles the whole bit and they have never hybernated. I wish you the best of luck with your guy. Do you maybe have an extra room you could house him in till you get the new tank built. I have known people to convert thier closet into a tank temporarily block off the door place some card board down and then substrate. you can hang your heat lamps off the clothes rod. That is about all I can think of to try and help. Good luck. I think that maybe a temp home would be better than to try and force a hybernation as I am not sure what that would do to the tegu stress wise. Like I say good luck and maybe someone will give you some advice I have not thought of.
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Beau W.

"There are no athiests in foxholes. It is not an argument against athiesm but rather one against foxholes." James Morrow

dont just immediately take away his light and heat. shorten the days to about 10hrs, then 8, then 6. during this he should stop eating and is going to crap a lot to flush everything out of his system. so gradually take his days away. although its still hot outside (atleast where i am) so he might not hibernate even if they dont ever go outside. Taz now knows when its September and around the 10th of Sept. he stops eating and will starting preparing for hibernation even though he doesnt hardly ever go outside anymore. they just know
later