He is almost 3 years old. He used to be a very docile animal since hatchling size. Last year he bred and ever since he has become VERY agressive.
He slams the font of the cage, jumps at you to bite, will tail whip, scratch, and do just about anything to get you. His nose is now injusred from him lunging and trying to bite anytime someone goes near the cage. Just to change the water, you need to put a towel over his head and restrain him while someone else takes the tub out and cleans it.
What caused the drastic change in attitude? Nothing has changed except for the one time breeding attempt (which failed - he is VERY rough on the ladies and had to be seperated).
How can he be calmed down again?
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Blue Tegu Is Now Psychotic
SPJ01
Apr 22, 2005 08:49 PM
Replies (1)
attentiveear
Apr 22, 2005 09:16 PM
Wow, sorry to hear about your "psychotic" blue! Typically once a tegu is calm/tame as you stated and given his age they tend to remain docile, even when bred (especially males). Did any thing traumatic happen, as in being dropped from a high height, another pet attempt attacking him, severely mishandled by another person? I know some females may go through these changes prior to egg laying and approx 1 month with hormonal level changes.
Keep being patient and low activity levels around him, thogh as you stated, you have been doing so. Very slow movements, no jerky/sudden reactions. Another aspect that tends to calm tegus down, is to soak them in water water. Leave him be for about 10 minutes, then attempt to pet him slowly. This tends to rebuild trust, but be patient and go slow...no forcing it.
I know not much comfort!
Greg
