Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When I try to take my Argentine B&W Tegu out of her cage she gets all mad and puffs up and whips her tail. When I get her out of the cage she is fine she lets me hold her and pet her.She is 4 months old now when I got her she was 6 weeks old. I am just wondering if she will calm down as time goes by.
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Thanks Steve
Owner of:
2.1 Bearded Dragons
0.1 Argentine B&W Tegu
1.0 Veiled Chameleon
1.1 Mali Uros
Brazilian White Knee Trantula
www.home.wi.rr.com/stevesreptiles

From what I've read and observed, you have the lesser of the two evils as far as Args and Colombians go. She should tame up as time goes by technically, but she may not want to. Keep holding her for 15-20 minutes at a time, a couple times, if not every day a week. I have a relatively tame Colombian male, but he only got this far by being held everyday and by seeing that I'm not a threat to him. Stay on her level if possible, dont look down on her, dont grab at her, try to let her come to you. It may take a while, but I think this is the best way to do it instead of forcing them to love you, if you get what I mean.
-Beth

Patience and non threatening movement are key. Also you might try warming your hands/arms before attempting to hold the animal. It is somewhat soothing to them in my opinion. My Blue Tegu flattens out on my arm to enjoy the warmth. Rather than being a big threatening hairy monkey, I am warm Tegu furniture. With regular interaction your tegu will get use to you. Just be patient and dont grab at the animal. It is preferable to not approach the animal from above. Most of the Tegus natural predators would attack from above so this makes you more threatening to them.

Additionaly in response to your post previously regarding the "mouse playtime", mine still does it. He swings it around like he has to kill it. It is just a natural feeding response. There is little concern that they will ingest the mulch. They have a keen knack for discarding it before swallowing their food. Apparently mulch isn't a favorite side dish
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Peace!
KofSeattle
Reptile-Like
Here lizard lizard.........

I have had my Arg B @ W for about 2 months now. He would chase my hand and launch himself at me when I first got him. The biggest turning point for him was the day I let him bite my hand over and over until he got it out of his system. Haha not recomended but it was worth it. I am sure holding him everyday for 45 minutes helped too. Once they are out of their cages they seem to calm down and usually do not bite. I lie down on my bed and let him crawl under my shirt. He usually just curls up and sleeps.
Stephen

Since I put him in a bigger cage, my year-old tegu has started scratching the hell out of me when I pick him up. He doesnt bite or tail whip, so I count myself lucky, but my arms look like Ive put them through window panes. Should I follow the same advice? Ive had him about 2 months now.

Chances are you tegu will calm down with time and careful, consistant handlong. All of the above advice is good.

One thing I noticed with mine, however, is that, no matter how the handling goes, they will go through what I refer to as the 'adolescent pissies' stage, where they are not happy with anything you do; that goes away, too, but for awhile I felt like mine had ADHD. Just couldn't stay still when being held. Loiosh is over it now, but little Rocza, who has always been so laid back and never cared what I did with her, is now a 'don't touch me, don't hold me, go away' lizard. I continue to handle her, as I know she will get over it.

LOL, they really are like kids! My daughters did the same 'I hate you!' thing when they were adolescents!

Good luck!
Leslie

n/p

Thanks for all the replys.
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Thanks Steve
Owner of:
2.1 Bearded Dragons
0.1 Argentine B&W Tegu
1.0 Veiled Chameleon
1.1 Mali Uros
Brazilian White Knee Trantula
www.home.wi.rr.com/stevesreptiles