Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi I recently adopted an Argentine red from a petstore a couple days ago. Someone had left him because they couldn't keep it, so I adopted him. He's a little over a foot long. I currently have him in a 29gal with basking at 110f n 60% humidity. I have a black throat monitor and had a savy for three years so I have experience with albigs. But I have some questions regarding hibernation.

Ever since I got him home he has been sleeping a lot. I don't see him come out. So I'm guessing he's hibernating. I'm not home during the day cuz of work but when I get home at night Its when i feed my black throat and other herps and interact with my animals. I have left him alone but when I check his tank at night its when I see that the water is dirty and that he was basking because the big stump he has under the spot lamp is dirty.
My question is, should I add food to see if he takes it or not? Or should I just leave alone for a while longer.

I have read in some places that sometimes tegus shouldn't eat while hibernation because they can't digest the food correctly n it ends up killing them instead because the food rotts in their stomach.

Is this correct? And if it is, then how will I know when to feed it?

Thank you and am sorry for making this so long and asking so many questions.

Tegus are pretty active so that 30 gal won't work for long. They can go a few days without eating, so that's not a problem.

However, you do want to feed a young tegu often since they are growing. The problem comes with leaving food in the cage. IF the food gets on the substrate, then you have to worry about the tegu eating the substrate. Impaction seems to be a issue that pops up with tegu owners now and again.

Tegus also seem to get food aggressive in regards to feeding in the enclosure. They really like to eat and are quite fond of the whole process.

I understand your dilemma about feeding during the winter. I have two adults that are waking up in the middle of winter and I"m not sure if they done or going back under. If it were me and I suspected my young tegu were awake, I would find a way to feed him. Try something easily digestible like a little fruit mixed with ground turkey. Make sure to add a good calcium supplement.

Hey thanks for the reply, I offered him some Turkey with fresh fruit. He devoured it. Next day I did not offer anything but he came outside adn spent most of the night digging, jumping, and basking so he's more active now. The day after I offered dusted crickets and he had a blast chasing them down. Its been a couple days and I haven't seen any waste in the cage. I searched around and it seems as if he hasn't defecated. I placed him in the tub with warm water for about 20 minutes but nothing. I placed him in the tub twice more and nothing. Now I'm a little scared because his belly is slighly bloated. Don't know what do now. I don't Want that stuff to rot inside of him and kill him. I need some help. Btw he seems more active at night then day.

Any suggestions. Thank you

It's possible that he defecated in the cage and it is just hard to find. If you are concerned, put him on newspaper or towel for a day or two to see if he passes anything. Keep up the baths once or twice a day and keep the heat up to 110. You can put a few drops of cod liver oil or mineral oil on his food to see if it will help him pass stool.

Anytime you have a concern that he is impacted, a vet should be consulted. If he has a prolapsed cloaca or keeps straining to go but nothing happens, or regurgitates his food.