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I had noticed Vito was not out and about for a few days in a row, no big deal, I just assumed he was on one of those extra lazy streaks. Anyway, I came home the 4th day and as I walked into the living room, I noticed my blinds go nuts! I knew it couldn't be the jarring of the door or any room ppressure or anything, and then I remembered Vito was MIA for most of the week. I took a closer look at the cage, and immediately checked the doggy door (I have a sealed up doggy door fixture for when he is bigger), and I wasn't too surprised at that point in time to see that it was opened about 4 inches, just enough for a tegu to squeeze through! Well, the cover has this sort of recessed grid pattern (I never noticed till now), and sure enough, if you push at just the right angle with enough force, it'll slide right up! He just happened to figure that out before me! So after a 45 minute chase, I got him back in his home and barracaded the doggy door. To top it all off, 2 days later I come home from dinner with the parents to find the main cage door WIDE OPEN! I was just asking for this one. The door is kinda tough to open anyway, and it has the clamp latches, but I guess I underestimated his strengh and/or his ability to use leverage. There is a mechanism to secure the door so that a body builder couldn't open it, but I never bothered, having assumed he wasn't strong enough. I was wrong. I think he somehow braced himself on the brick staircase leading to his basking spot and just pushed his heart out. Well it worked, and he got out again, another chase, etc. Sorry this was so long, but I had to share this one (even though it makes me look kinda silly). But you know what, I'm proud of the little guy. I have a lot more respect for him and will definately never underestimate these cunning lizards again!
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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
0.1.0 Orange Crested Gecko
1.0.0 Jackson's Chameleon
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu

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BoidsNTegus@insightbb.com

They sure are smart! I've not had any escapes, but I have sat and watched Loiosh explore every possible exit. He even tried to jump at the center of the square of mesh that holds the one basking light, to see if he was strong enough to dislodge it. He is quite smart. Little Rocza, however, is not a rocket scientist. She's cute, just not very bright. She takes her cues from him. Loiosh has figured out how to get out, though. He just comes over to the glass and tripods and stares at me until I come over and open the cage. Then he crawls up my shirt and the tongue comes out while he checks out my face. Tegu kisses! He also huffs in my ear. How can I ignore that!

Leslie

You knowwhat, you read and hear stories about reptile intelligence (things like reptiles are not intelligent just programmed by evolution etc.), but the things these guys do, even their simple day-to-day personal quirks, really press home the level of true free thinking intelligence in these animals. I have had many different mammals as a child (hamsters, dogs, guinea pigs) and some birds (peacocks, show Pheasants) and have several different reptiles now, and no other animal with the exception of my Australian shephard was anywhere near the intelligence of Vito. Just the simple fact that they will stare you in the eye says alot. Their exploratory nature, their ability to really learn things (especiacially things they would never do in the wild like potty training), and the ability to establish and maintain relationships (tegu to tegu, tegu to keeper; although the relationship seems to always favor the tegu in our case!) just scream an level of cunning that is typically overlooked in reptiles. Just my thoughts/ramblings.
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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
0.1.0 Orange Crested Gecko
1.0.0 Jackson's Chameleon
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu

My Home Page

BoidsNTegus@insightbb.com

a dog. That makes them twice as smart as a cat. And Leslie, I'm not sure I'd share about the tegu kisses. LOL.

I know Rufus is smart, curious, manipulative, expressive about his likes and dislikes. Having a tegu has been one of the most enjoyable experiences. I don't want any more of them but I sure like Rufus.

Mike B

I really don't worry...my husband has seen it and he thinks it's cute. Believe me, it's a lot less slobbery than horse kisses, and I get those regularly!!! My husband thinks that Loiosh is just making sure that it's me, and that I don't have a nice juicy mouse secreted somewhere on my person. LOL

As to tegu intelligence, lots of animals are a lot smarter than the 'experts' say they are. I have several horses as well as the tegu that reason. The colt I bred lets the miniature stallion out of his paddock by opening the spring catch on the gate chain. He knows what he's doing, and it takes a lot of dexterity with that upper lip. He also knows not to do it when I'm watching! I even have a tool using horse! Cody has been seen to pick up a stick to scratch his belly... They're not supposed to do that.

The more you live with animals of any sort, the more fascinating they become. The separate personalities are amazing.

Leslie