Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This morning, I left a mouse in the tegu cage before I left for the day. It wasn't bigger than one's he's eaten in the past, and he hadn't eaten in two or three days so I figured he'd be fine.

I got home a few minutes ago to find him dead on the side of the cage. Tail still hanging out of his mouth, body absolutely huge.

I feel awful. I should have watched over him while he ate.
But I guess there's nothing I can do now but learn from my mistake, and I hope others will do the same.

He was an incredible lizard, and maybe one of these days I'll try to join the tegu world again.

Thanks for your help in the past, I appreciate it.

I almost did the same thing.I fed my tegu a mouse that was too big for him and I thought I was going to have to try and pull it out of his mouth.He acted like he was having trouble breathing and It took him a good 15min. to finally swallow it, he was really bloated after that.I guess I was lucky.Now he only gets smaller mice...I honestly didnt think they would actually choke themselves but would spit it out if too big or tear it in peices.Thats what Ive heard but I guess now we know thats not always the case...
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