Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have a argentine black and white tegu that i hand bought from lll reptile about a year ago and ever since i got him his attitude hasnt been the best now that he is in a new big cage he attacks the glass every time i go to feed him and anytime i try to hold him he freaks out and death roles to get away from me and i feel that he isnt getting any tamer, so my plan is to give him to someone who lives in ohio that wants him, i can be reached at aaronb716@msn.com

Sounds to me like it is stressed. As long as it doesn't actively bite I would give it a couple weeks to settle. Just feed, water, and spot clean. Then start handling and practice the behavior mod ideas posted elsewhere in this forum. If it just started when you moved him to a bigger cage I'd put him back in the original tank for a couple of weeks. Tegus are smart and he might just be bluffing you to leave him alone. Keep trying. Give him some time and space for a couple of weeks.

Let us know how it goes.

Mike B

Well of course he attacks the glass everytime you feed him. He knows the food is coming! Feed him outside the cage - it works like a charm. I had an argentine with a REALLY bad feeding response. I started feeding him outside and now instead of charging at the glass he strolls on up onto my arm so I can take him outside when I open the cage.

As for the not liking to be held - is it just when you lift him up? I have two dog tame blues who love being scratched on thier necks and sitting on laps and the whole bit - but they freak up and death roll when I pick them up. Tegus just aren't climbing animals, and the fact of the matter is some of them will never be comfortable when they are off the ground. The really bad news is the problem generally gets worse as they get larger (the bigger they are - the less supported they feel - the more the freak out).

Anyway - that's my two cents, if you are set on getting rid of it I wish you the best of luck. I'll take it if you feel like shipping to AZ.

What part of AZ I live in east mesa, on signal butte. Is it just me or do alot of the shows suck out here?
thanks
tony butler

When I moved my tegu from a small cage to a large one I taped paper on the outside of the cage, because I wanted to give my animal a private area where he could still bask.

Maybe that could help you! (my tegu didn't have behavior/aggression problems but I created a hide spot/personal area/basking area to help him feel secure since I have cats that are always peering into the cage.)
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Zsa-Zsu and Corny the Corn Snake
and Monaco the Argentine B&W Tegu
and Meanie the Black Throat Monitor

Just what the other guy said. Your problem is that you are feeding it in the tank. Not a good idea. Start taking it ans feeding it in something else. I use a very large rubbermaid container to feed mine, my friend uses the bath tub. Either would work. Try to handle it as much as you can and it should mellow out.