Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Heya,
I have noticed that, over the last week or so, my tegus head is getting a light green tinge to it. Its just on the topmost big scales on his head, but they became pale and now that hes shed them they look kind of green. Im a bit puzzled, as this is obviously a sign of juvenility, but I cant find any accounts of a tegu getting greener with age. Hes otherwise active and eating very well. Any thoughts? I dont use anything green anywhere in his enclosure or anything.

So your tegus head went from bright green, to tan/brownish, to white and now it's turning a light green?
-----
Rick
theTegu.com

New Tegu Community: theTegu.com - Webcam: Tux.theTegu.com

ns

russ,

I just looked to see if I could see the green tint on the head to try to figure out what was actually happening. Here is a picture of Johelian's tegu, Tyler. This is prior to the green tint she is talking about. See it right here.

Maybe she can post a picture with the green tint when she gets a chance.
-----
Rick
theTegu.com

New Tegu Community: theTegu.com - Webcam: Tux.theTegu.com

Rick the Question is directed towards you . So how long have you been keeping , And breeding tegus ?As for the moss issue ,I am speaking from experience. You just seem a little full of your self.I think you should listen to others(stella) who have been keeping and breeding tegus for 12 pluse years. Its just like the people who use a calsium suppliment for dusting instead of bone meal for SDZ. they do this and dont listen to peole who have allready done this, then there tegu getsMBD.I also saw on your web sight about UVB. It has been proven that they do just fine with out it If they are supplemented Properly.Santaigo in his Fisrt year never got UVB and he grew to 47 1/8" and 11lbs.I do provide it now , because it does`nt hurt . But it is not conclusive if they need uvb in captivity.Take care Russ

russ,

I appologize for incorrectly addressing your post. Since it was a reply in Johelian's thread I assumed it was related to the subject at hand.

I don't intend to hijack this thread, but I will reply to your questions. If you have further questions please post them in the thread about moss, since that is the subject your are on.

Q: how long have you been keeping
A: I had taken care of two tegus (one columbian and one argentine, both black and white) for nearly three years while a friend was stationed overseas. I then volunteered at a local petshop for over 1 year until they were bought out by a larger company. I now have two of my own.

Q: And breeding
A: I have never personally bred tegus

Comment: As for the moss issue ,I am speaking from experience.
Reply: You have had a tegu infected with sporotrichosis because of proper use of sphagnum moss?

Comment: You just seem a little full of your self.
Reply: I post only my opinions as well as some research material and tell people to do some research, it's a matter of common discussion. This is a forum, a stage for opinions and communication. There are two primary ways a discussion can end, One is with everyone walking away a little better informed and the other is with lots of flaming and name calling. Let's leave the personal attacks out of it and stick to the discussion. Show me something to change my opinion and I may just do that. I have used sphagnum moss for years (not as a substrate, but for occassional use in a moist hide) with no signs of sporotrichosis. I am not saying it's not possible, I agree fungus is a possibility if left in the enclosure to mold. I just don't agree it will always cause your tegu to get sick.

Comment: I think you should listen to others(stella).
Reply: I did listen to (read) Stellas posts. I respect her (and Ron) for their work with tegus and their wonderful skills breeding tegus, but I still like more then "It's bad" for me to change what has worked for me for so long. Post results of a study and I would possibly change my standing. There are lots of people who say all moss are bad, many who say that some mosses are fine. It's a matter of chevy vs ford, pepsi vs coke. There is no proof either way until a real study is formed. If sphagnum moss was so bad for pets and people, why would nearly every pet shop & reptile hobbiest carry it, often labelled "reptile safe".

Comment: Its just like the people who use a calsium suppliment for dusting instead of bone meal for SDZ. they do this and dont listen to peole who have allready done this, then there tegu getsMBD.
Reply: I am not one of 'the people', and related to this subject, how many people here have actually posted that they or their tegu got infected by sporotrichosis from using sphagnum moss on occassion?

Comment: I also saw on your web sight about UVB. It has been proven that they do just fine with out it If they are supplemented Properly.
Reply: It's a debate, like the sphagnum moss subject. I have not yet seen a scientific study that has proven on a whole, that they do just fine with out it. And I guess it may be better to err on the side of safety since there is really no reason not to stick a UVB bulb in there since it hurts nothing. Right?

Comment: I do provide it now , because it does`nt hurt.
Reply: Exactly.

Comment: take care
Reply: I will, and I sincerely wish the best to you and yours.

Again, these are my comments and opinions. Facts are only proven with scientific tests. Lack of tests leave us discussing these subjects. If you have further questions on comments please leave them in the "Do not use moss in a tegus cage" thread and let's leave this thread for "Head getting greener..?"
-----
Rick
theTegu.com

New Tegu Community: theTegu.com - Webcam: Tux.theTegu.com

All Im saying is that Not everybody will remember to take the moss out ,or they may leave some in the cage. So why give advise that may have a bad effect on the tegu?If you have the time and money and energy to do what you stated ,more power to you. Also who says the tegu will want to even go in the hide box at all?Mine dont allways go in theres .My gold never goes in hers.as for uvb You can go to Agama International ,And see the resurch that bert has done.There are Quit a few of people who dont use UVB and have no problems with mbd.I think Its like saying dont use the crosswalk its safe to just cross anywhere.

"All Im saying is that Not everybody will remember to take the moss out ,or they may leave some in the cage. So why give advise that may have a bad effect on the tegu?"

I like to assume the best in people, I don't like to assume people are forgetful or lazy. If they are not adept at giving proper attention should they really have a pet?

I was told to use Fafard brand sphagnum peat moss, slightly damp in the hide to help stubborn shedding and I have for years with no issue. Following the correct directions it has worked great, because not every tegu will sit still and soak for more then a minute or two without stressing, expecially when young or never exposed to soaking in a bath before.
-----
Rick
theTegu.com

New Tegu Community: theTegu.com - Webcam: Tux.theTegu.com

Arrgh, my beautiful thread!

The tegu is around a year old and the big scales on his head were a reasonably dark tan colour with paler centres. Now over the last week they have gone quite pale tan with a greenish hint to them. I will try and get a pic as soon as my camera is charged up. He just shed so I dont think thats the case, although he has just started his body shed so I guess he may already be getting ready for another. Ive just never seen them look green since Ive had him.

I have never seen him with a green head as a juvenile as he was already several months old when I got him, but I would presume that would have been teh case

Right, I tried to take a picture but it doesnt show the green at all because its either too dark or the flash has obliterated it. Basically, its a minty kind of colour. You can now see it on the rest of the formerly white parts of his body. Any thoughts?

Very strange. I've never heard of anything like that. Too bad the photos won't show it. Keep everyone posted on whether it continues. Would be super neat if the color continued to return. Did it show up right after a shed? Wonder what will happen after the next shed....

Leslie

Yeah it did, and now hes just shed again its more noticable :S I too am looking forward to what happens after the next shed! Ill let you guys know. Thanks