Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have what I believe to be a columbian black and white tegu that runs and hides every time he see's me.How can i break this habit?I dont want to stress him out to much so I havent handled him much.Also I would like to know what typed of fruit I can and can not feed him??? Any info would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Steve O.

I'd suggest not handling your tegu at first. Just do your normal maintenance, and let him see you are not a threat. They're curious, and eventually yours will venture out to see what the heck you're doing. Then you can try touching and letting him walk on your hand. Once he gets used to that, you should be able to pick him up, but be sure to pick him up from underneath. If you come at him from the top, you resemble a preditor and will scare him.

As to fruit, I feed grapes, strawberries, peaches, melons and occasionally mandarin oranges.

Good luck!

Leslie

My Colombian will only eat mango, and only when he feels like it. Keep trying to get him used to you, dont show fear because they can sense it the same way you can. What I tried that worked pretty well is to put something in the cage with your scent on it, like a hand towel that has been under your pillow, or an old t-shirt, or something. I know it has worked because when my tegu smells me, he calms down a lot. When he smells my roomie he puffs up and hisses. Good luck let me know how it goes. Also, do you have any pics? I would love to see them, we could help you figure out if its a Colombian or an Arg.
-Beth

is there somthing wrong with his mouth ????