New enclosure, new attitude

[jaypops]

Hello everyone,

So I moved Mushu into his new large enclosure, but now it's like i have a whole new tegu. He's terrified all the time. When he just sees me he runs and hides under his water bin. He used to never mind the site of me, and would crawl up my arm when he was in his old enclosure. Now I can hardly get near him. He's about 7 months old and 3ft long. I know it's normal for a bit, but it's been over 2 weeks. Should i remove jis water bin while he's in his burrow at night so when he does wake up he can't run to the other side of the enclosure to the water bin?

 

[zlew19]

let him get settled, feed him in there, and try putting a shirt that smells like you so he can start re-acclimating

 

[jaypops]

That's what i figured. I put a shirt in before and he'd still take off. He knows my smell, but is frightened when i walk in or make a sudden move. I got close enough for him to smell me then he completely mellowed out, kind of had the "hey i know you" attitude. But back to being frightened the next day :-(

 

[Josh]

How long has he been in the new enclosure? You've got to remember to give him time to get settled in. Rome wasn't built overnight! Just be patient and keep working with him. Make sure he's comfortable inside the enclosure. Be sensitive to his responses to you. If he seems particularly grumpy (from shedding or anything else) put him in this enclosure and leave him be. Don't cause him any undue stress. Be a source of comfort and warmth and you'll see his behavior start to change. Keep us updated on how things progress, please!

 

[jaypops]

He has been in approximately 3 weeks now. I might just remove his water bin and put in a regular bowl for a couple of weeks so he can't just go under there when I walk into the room. Yesterday I was able to pet him and stuff, but as soon as I tried to pick him up to put him in my sweater, he freaked and did a death roll, so I put him back and he went to the other end of the enclosure. I guess it's just taking more time because he's sleeps a couple days, then wakes up for a few hours and so forth; might be brumation. He's already 7 months old, and I'm afraid he won't have that wanting to be near me attitude thanks for your response

 

[jaypops]

How long has he been in the new enclosure? You've got to remember to give him time to get settled in. Rome wasn't built overnight! Just be patient and keep working with him. Make sure he's comfortable inside the enclosure. Be sensitive to his responses to you. If he seems particularly grumpy (from shedding or anything else) put him in this enclosure and leave him be. Don't cause him any undue stress. Be a source of comfort and warmth and you'll see his behavior start to change. Keep us updated on how things progress, please!

He has been in approximately 3 weeks now. I might just remove his water bin and put in a regular bowl for a couple of weeks so he can't just go under there when I walk into the room. Yesterday I was able to pet him and stuff, but as soon as I tried to pick him up to put him in my sweater, he freaked and did a death roll, so I put him back and he went to the other end of the enclosure. I guess it's just taking more time because he's sleeps a couple days, then wakes up for a few hours and so forth; might be brumation. He's already 7 months old, and I'm afraid he won't have that wanting to be near me attitude

thanks for your response