Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all, I've got a question for you to ponder. If you have a pet dog, it views its owner as its mast, the lead of the pack, that is. But what about our beloved tegus? Do you think a lizard really can recognize us and tell us apart from other humans, and how do you think they view us...with trust, as a companion? Let me know what you think.

I know mine doesn't yet LOL. That's what I'm aiming for, though. I've only had mine 2 months, and I'm lucky he's very sweet, but right now I don't think he "likes" my company - but he loves when I feed him and give him baths. I've heard some great stories about adult tegus, and I'm sure they don't think like dogs, but they do recognize humans as "bringers of good things" (hopefully) and are known to follow around and be curious. My tegu is definitely not scared of me. I think cat-like is the best analogy, but not as affectionate as cats.
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-reptilian9

I am THE ALMIGHTY BRINGER OF CRICKETS. My tegu is a hatchling, so he and I have only known each other two weeks. He watches me as much as I watch him. His initial suspicion of me seems to be shifting more to curiosity, and he has actually started coming over to look at me ("Oh look. It's the giant head."when I come to look at him. He still seems somewhat surprised when I produce yummy crickets, probably because I make a point to watch him when it isn't meal time, as well as when it is. He lets me touch him, but it's clear that he's tolerating it, not enjoying it. Sometimes I just rest my hand in the cage, and he comes over and tongue flicks it, then looks at me curiously. So right now, I don't think he knows what to make of me, but he doesn't seem to be afraid of me so much as curious about me, and I'm really pleased with that.

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They learn by positive reinforcement. At first they are scared and threatened by you. Then they begin to accept you. They never accept their living conditions if they are kept in a cage (see that post below i think, they go wild when put outside). They want to be free, and are solitary animals. You can tame them down and have them well fed and they might seem happy, but they will never do anything to save your life or to help you out. They are only out for themselves like most other animals, evolution baby! They need to worry about themselves.

Mike

Yeah like Shad said it's an evolution thing. I think you almost answered your own question Blue_tegu when you say a dog sees you as "the lead of the pack". Dogs stay together because they are more likely to survive that way so evolution has in a sense hard wired them to desire companionship. We humans are the same way, the reason we get lonely is because we started out being more likely to survive in groups. Tegus are better off spreading out and looking for food so they don't get lonely or desire friends. Sometimes it's hard for us when we spend so much time with tegus not to expect some "love" in return but to them they don't understand why we even hang around. You might get lucky and get a tegu that likes hanging out with you! But no one should expect a truly friendly tegu since it's rare. I'd hate to see someone be disappointed with their tegu. If you want a friendly companion get a pack type animal. I got a tegu because I've liked reptiles since I was like 6; I like how their scales feel, how they look, and observing their behavior. They make my imagination run wild; I look at them and think of dinosaurs, dragons, and other scaly monsters. One other reason someone might want one is they sure do attract a lot of attention like maybe some other more warm blooded companions

actually, i'v noticed that Taz very much looks forward to coming out and walking around the house. when i come in the room he stares me down then paces back and forth. once i open the cage i feed him, he poops in his corner... and where ever i go hes following right behind. when he was smaller he would still follow me and would crawl up my pant leg to my head using my ear as a ladder :/ (didnt feel good at all). and now im not saying he snuggles but when i go up to the 3rd floor he always heads for my black/green sleeping bag, he absolutely loves this thing. he also now is defensive/aggressive to other people when im not in the room. and even when im in the room he'll hiss or whip at them. dont know why he does that now. but he certainly knows im the one who takes care of him.

Wow that's so cool, I think your Taz is a real gem of a lizard. I've read a lot of posts about him going back years and it's one of the reasons I've decided to get a tegu. I remember someone who said he had 1 tegu out of 7 that would come to him for attention I can't remember who. And of course I think everyone has read the testimonial on Bert’s site too. Like I said in my last post
"You might get lucky and get a tegu that likes hanging out with you! But no one should expect a truly friendly tegu since it's rare. I'd hate to see someone be disappointed with their tegu."
They are no doubt smart enough to get to know their owner, my tegus are more comfortable with me then with a stranger

I'm not sure how much they like our company. Tolerate may be a
better word for it...or appreciate our body heat and feedings.
I do know that my tegu recognizes my girltfriend and I. He is
very calm and tame around us. He is VERY apprehensive of others
and even afraid of other people. He will run away from them and
open his mouth to threaten them if I am holding him as they
approach.

I foound his recognition very interesting. I would not have
guessed a lizard could recognise people.

Brian

I think Tegus are intelligent and social animals. They have a need to interact with other Tegus. Like others in this forum I am trying to provide the "best" for my Tegus. After thinking about balancing their needs for sunlight, fresh air, etc. I came up with the idea of using an old bird cage. The bottom and about three or four inches on the side I covered with cardboard. What do the Tegus think? I think they like it. They are taken out in the cage, a little awkward, but it works for me. Once they are settled they bask and survey their surroundings. They DO NOT like the dogs, no matter how much they smile, drool and pant. Lucky for me the dogs are trainable and just like when you acclimate a new puppy eventually the dogs will leave them alone.

The idea of housing my Tegus outdoors is one I am going to pursue. An eight foot horse tank is just about right for what I want. Most of us would agree that we would rather have a Tegu that acted like a Tegu rather than one that acted like my Llewellin Setter. If that means the Tegus are a little flighty at first...as long as they will settle down and not bite.

As far as good holding reptiles go...the bullsnake I traded for my rufescens was a better holding reptile. That doesn't mean I am giving up on Tegus. I am fascinated by them. I will continue to try to meet as many of their needs as I can. Hopefully, along the way they may think enough of me to reward me for my efforts. Until then, two Tegus chasing crickets is way more fun than watching TV.

Mike B.

I forgot to add...Really Good Question.

Wow, thanks for the great responses. I guess you are right, tegus probably don't exactly like us, it is more of a i'll tolerate you because you do not hurt me and provide me with food relationship. As far as everyone's speculation about bringing them outside, I live in apartment and we have a pool which I take out to with me so he and I can both catch some rays. He's actually very calm outside, but only when I have him sitting on me and I'm handling/touching him, he doesn't seem to like to be left in a box to get some sun. What is really cool is the reaction I get from everyoen else down by the pool. The most common is, "Is that (I hope its not) a snake!" It's a great coversation starter though, a lot of girls have actually come up to me and started asking me about him. Yes! Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I am able to get my Tegu to sit still in my hands with proper handling and when I sit on the couch and watch TV, he will climb up and sit in my lap of his own free will. Sometimes, I feel like he really does like me. I feel very fortunate to say that he has NEVER tried to bite me, nor even shown any signs of aggression, even when he was at the vet getting an intramuscular antibiotic injection. I love my tegu, hes honestly the greatest reptile I've ever had, even the vet is dumbfounded by how much "character" he has. Here's soem pics.

Regards,
Chris

.. and i have a scar on my right hand that says that so. lol. she's a great gal, a typical red-headed attitude, if u know what i mean. but i love her dearly.. dont' care what she thinks of me

Both of our tegus have learned to tolerate us. We have never fed
them in their cages. They have to come out to eat and that means
getting picked up by us. Before long, all we do is open cage door, and they are trying to climb up on us. We also cover the
small bathroom floor with newspaper and let them use the bathroom before cruising the house and getting fed. They never
go to the bathroom in the cage. This has been working from the
beginning. We started feeding them outside the cage when they
were small and they have never thought our fingers were food.

Spots owner

To my tegu, i am the bus. Big, slow moving, you can count on it to get you from A to B, but sometimes it's really annoying, picking you up and dropping you off not where you wanted to go. She definately relates to me as the trustworthy yet irkesome bus, and other people in the house (such as my teenage stepson) as illicit hijacked busses, not to be trusted. Sometimes I am regarded as the chuckwagon.