Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For those of you who let your tegus swim around in the tub every day or whatever, I have some questions... I just started it myself, and I think my red likes it. I can't tell for sure if he likes it, but he doesn't freak out and exhaust himself, he kind of closes his eyes and swims slowly, and it looks very cool how they "S" their tail. When I slowly lift him out, he jumps back in (but that could be because he doesn't want to be picked up). Other times he'll just sit in my hand. I read someone else's post recently about sticking your hands in the tub and getting the tegu to trust you and come to you when it wants out and stuff. He's already tame enough to walk by me and is never mean at all, I'm just trying to get him to like me more. Every time I take him out of his cage he's preoccupied with finding somewhere to hide - won't stay still. He's only about 18" though, so I hope he calms with age. I've had him for about 2 months. He's very tame, like I said. I guess my question is, how do I know if he's enjoying the water or is ready to get out? I don't want to stress him by putting him in water every day. Whenever he goes to the edge and it looks like he wants out, thats when I think he's ready to get out. I just wondered if it's normal for him to close his eyes and just kind of sit there. It looks like he really likes it, maybe because it's so warm. I know it helps with sheds. Also, how hot is too hot? Soon I will post some pics of him swimming.
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-reptilian9

Most tegus love the water and will let you know when they have enough by jumping to get out. Agai neach tegu is different and you wil learn his personality in time. It does sound like you are off to a terrific start and keep it up! Stay with being patient with him as well in handling him. Go at his pace, not yours. We try to soak ours everyday for 2 reasons: 1) hydration and help with shedding and 2) help to train them to crap in the tub versus on the floor, whic hteh war mwater triggers their defacation urges. LOL

We would like to work more on potty train them on paper and will progress to that soon. Some have had success, others have not, so it's a hit or miss.

The temp of the water should not be scalding hot! We use basically what we use for a warm-hot shower, perhaps a bit warmer than that as a guide. You can touch and leave your hand in the water without getting burnt at all.

Good luck!

Greg

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I don't have it too hot - I leave my hands in there. Do you think tegus swim much in the wild? I imagine them hiding out all day, but they seem like they love the water. I'll try to take and post some pictures tonight of him swimming.
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-reptilian9

Both my red and my gold enjoy a nice soak in a warm tub. They sometimes walk over and stand under the faucet while it fills (warm water at slow/medium flow).

Soaking time varies from 10-60 minutes, and they swim, sleep and pace the perimeter. When they want out they go to the shallow end and try climbing. I put a towel over the side, hold it for stability, then they climb up & out by themselves. They learned this "trick" quickly, and seem to prefer it over being picked up out of the water.

Here's my adult red stretched out and sleeping in a warm bath. (The bad lighting doesn't show her color too well, but I think it's a funny picture.)
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Some good info, thanks. I like the towel idea, I'll try that for sure. Do you think they learn that after they climb the towel they'll be in your hands? It sounds like a great idea. Your big tegu looks like mine in the water - he instantly closes his eyes; it looks like he loves it. I'll see how the bathing goes and if it goes well (I think it will), I think all tegu owners should let their tegus swim around. Is it just the reds that enjoy it? Thanks again. I hate it when nobody replies to my posts.
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-reptilian9