Feeding

[Otis]

My tegu won't eat outside his cage. Are there any strategies to get him to eat outside his cage?

 

[Walter1]

Feed him from a bowl in his cage.

 

[Otis]

I thought feeding in the cage was bad though?

 

[Walter1]

Only a problem if the substrate is something that the tegu shouldn't accidentally eat. That would result in impaction, which means that the substrate is eaten and can't get pooped out. Otherwise, pick a specific food bowl and place food in it before tegu wakes up. They're smart. They'll look to the bowl for food. Eventually, you can tong-feed them treats and such. However, get him used to a specific food bowl. Wakes up, and there's the food.

 

[Otis]

ok cool thanks

 

[DougY]

I agree with Walter1. I feed my Tegu from the same deep bowl, in the exact same place in the enclosure, every time. He's healthy, friendly and is thriving.