Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am very upset and need to know

Is it normal for a tegu to drop its tail?

I feel guilt b/c I was trying to catch my gold tegu, who'd been hiding in a wall for weeks, and finally came out - and I wanted to get her back in her terrarium. She was racing wily around under and behind the furniture and I was intent on getting hold of her, saw her tail convulsing (under an endtable) and took hold of it, and she was not on the other end!! I finally got hold of my little girl; she wasn't bleeding, but the stub where her tail was, was fleshy looking.

Has anyone else had this experience? Will she be at risk for infections? Is she in pain? Will it grow back? (

Thank you, hope to hear soon.

Anxious tegu-owner

Many lizards autonomize their tails as a defense mechanism to avoid predation; the exception would be monitors and possibly a few other species.

A new tail should regenerate, but make sure the wound is kept clean and dry. Nolvasan or Hibiclens or other non-tissue destructive anti-bacterial compounds can be applied topically; otherwise, it should heal fine. Make sure the lizard is kept in a clean environment until the wound callouses-over.