Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a B&W Argentine Tegu,today I noticed when she had her mouth closed on the sides you could see her gums like her mouth is not all the way closed. I was wondering if this is normal or what it could be. Her temps are fine 80 to 85 deg on cool side 95 deg under basking. Her diet is mice dusted with Rep-Cal w/ vit.d3 every other day ,the other days she has chicken that is dusted.I use Rep-Cal herptavite once a week, she also gets fruit. I was thinking it might be,she is still alittle skittish in her cage, she will blow herself up and gets defensive so her mouth is alittle open cause she is breathing heavy. Sorry this is so long and thanks for any replys. Steve
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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

My friend has a Blue with the same problem. He told me the Tegu (Louie the Lip) had his jaw broken at some point in time and it didn't heal correctly leaving his gums exposed.

Rudd

Not sure about the gums issue but if you do a search I know I have read hear about several people having similar problems. I think the problems may be linked to a calcium/UVB deficiency. I know you wrote you are dusting calcium every other day you may want to step it up every day. Also you should think of switching to Miner All I Calcium it comes highly recommended by all the top breeders. Back to the UVB, you did not say you using it in your set up. UVB is a must for growing tegues. Additionally you should raise the basking temp to 110-115. Finally if you want what's best for your Tegu ditch the chicken and start feeding whole prey items; as many dusted crickets she will eat and mice that are half the size of her head (live or thawed frozen).

Thanks for the reply. I am using supplements everyday. Right now she will not eat crickets,I was thinking about giving her a mouse everyday though, I just dont want to over feed her. I have a Zoo-Med 5.0 bulb in there for her. For the temps when I bought her from Bert from Agama that was the temps that he told me to keep her at. I am thinking that her mouth is like that cause she gets mad when I try to take her out and breaths heavy,I am not sure if it is like then when she is out and calm. Steve
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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

My tegu has the same problem, although Im sure his jaw is more misplaced than your tegus. Here is a pic for reference.
-Beth

I had my girl out tonight and was looking at it,it looked fine I think that I am worring to much about it. I think that when I notice it is when she is mad and breathing heavy so it looks like a problem but really isnt. Thanks for all the replys so fast.
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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

Skittish tegus do indeed show a slightly open mouth while "huffing" or "hissing" to let you know that it is not pleased. I am glad it turned out to be a simple issue.

While I am posting, drop the "www." from your url in your sig, it doesn't function with the "www.". I didn't see pics of your Tegu, but your enclosures look nicely done.

Rick
theTegu.com