Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok - I have a year old (probably) male arg b&w thats spending most of his time under the substrate. Hes new to me - Ive had him nearly 2 weeks. Is this his attempt to hibernate? I have stirred him up out of it almost evey day, a) to feed him and b) he has been to the vet for a course of injections as he was wheezing.

Should I just leave him alone? Im paranoid as well that hell get out of the habit of being handled while hes hibernating. Should I refer to the vet? He suggested that I keep him up while he was on the drugs to aid recovery, but hasnt said what to do now. The cage temps are still hot, which is confusing me as I thought he wouldnt hibernate while its so warm.

Please, any advice would be great

i had the same problem with my golden tegus'. both were buried alot and very sleepy, both where sleeping on the heating mat, which is under the viv not in it!!. i kept having to wake them up to feed. i live in the uk and it has started to get quite cold over here. i changed from a 60w basking bulb to a 100w basking bulb the temps have gone up to around 100f/105f in basking area, the only other thing i have done is at the cool end of the viv put in a waterfall with a drinking pool(if you can't get a waterfall just put in another drinking bowl down there). their normal water bowl is now in the basking area helps keep it humid. i feed crickets one day, then grasshoppers next both dusted with calcium, then 3rd day pinkies, then repeat cycle. a bit of fruit every day which is hit and miss. now my tegus have become very very active.

i put uv and basking light on at 8am and turn off at 9pm on a timer, when they goto bed, temp drops to about 80f but they are sleeping on mat. they both seem really really happy with this set up.

if anyone reads these temps and times on lighting and thinks they aren't right well they work for my babies, and if their happy i'm happy.

i handle them every day for a maximum of 30mins

i think now in winter i will use 100w then in summer i'm going to try 60w, see how it goes nxt year.

i don't know if my reply will help you but doing the above turned my tegus around.
david

Thanks, that is pretty helpful I live in the UK as well, so I understand about chilly nights!

The thing that was worrying me was the thing about his meds; I mean, I wouldnt really mind him hibernating but I dont want to end up putting his health back again. I guess ILl just have to ask the vet about it...

If he was an eating machine and suddenly stopped eating thats a sign of hibernation or unhealthiness.Plus you got to keep the tempetures high if you dont want him to hibernate.You should have the basking spot of 115'-130',and the ambien should be at least 80'-85',those are the tempetures I have for my agentine black and white tegu.He/she is in an custome made 4',long by 2ft tall,by 2ft wide enclosure and will soon be constructing a 7ft long,by 3ft tall,by 3ft wide enclosure