Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 3ft 16month male b&w argentine tegu, whos been vet checked, fecal tested and is in perfect health. I've had him since he was 5weeks old. When he was a baby, like most tegus he would eat anything that was offered to him. He wouldn't refuse a thing (eggs, fruits, mice, ground turkey/chicken, liver,heart, gizzards, and bugs) He would take fruits gladly, usually grapes & apple were his favorite.

For the past, few months or so, his diet was limited due to his cool down, but now hes up and eating again now for a little over 2 months but hes much more pickier.

He will only eat his rodents which are f/t small rats. I've tried getting more fruit into his diet by the "meatball" attempt but he won't touch it. He walks away from anything other than rodents. I've offered him ground turkey/chicken, and liver/gizzards/hearts and that showed no hope. I've kept food from him in hope of making him really hungry and then offering fruit or fruit mixed in with ground turkey and/or eggs & even when he has not ate in days, he won't touch it.

Does anyone have any ideas on getting his diet more varieted again ???

Kayla
SnakeCharm Reptile Rescue
North Bay Herpetological Society Adoption Chairman

I can only commiserate as my 4yo female is doing the very same thing. She was eating quail chicks, but turns her nose up at that now, too. No meat, no fruit, only F/T rodents. She used to eat like a champ. I'd suggest thetegu.com or tegutalk.com if no one else responds here.

I had this problem a few years ago. Have you tried the egg yolk trick? maybe since eggs are usually their favorite treat maybe dab a little bit of yolk on the food you plan to offer see if he will take it. Good luck

Rich