B&w Tegu question for someone who doesn't presently own one.

[GoggleHat]

I've been doing a lot of research and spending a lot of time figuring out how I can take care of a Tegu in my new apartment. I have a room that should provide more than enough space for him / her, and I've been in touch with someone who currently has a year and a half old Tegu that's still in a 4x2x2 enclosure. According to her owner, she's a bit skittish and neither he nor his wife ever really managed to devote the time to get her used to them.

I'm hopeful that I can provide a good life for a tegu, perhaps this one, but it has gotten me to thinking, what are the challenges someone might face taking in a rescue/adopted Tegu that is presently skittish, but not fully grown? I've seen a lot of people recommend simply being near the tegu, ignoring it, showing interest in what it's interested in if it wants to explore, offering berries, hornworms, or pieces of meat, and of course observing body language, while allowing them to come to you at first more than you go to them.

I'd love to have a Tegu reach the point of being affectionate with me, but I am concerned of a chance that might not happen. I know it can also depend on the personality of the Tegu just like a cat. I'd certainly love to be able to train it to be okay with being handled once it's comfortable in my presence and with me touching it.

So I guess a little bit more than one question LOL honestly any advice from experienced owners, any other recommended do's and don'ts, generally about interacting with the Tegu and bonding with them. That would all be greatly appreciated!

 

[AlifKat]

Mine was about 8 months old when I adopted her and she had minimal handling before. She’s about 1.5 years old now. She was (and to some extent still is) a wild thang. We went through a tough biting stage. But we got through it. Now she tolerates a harness and walks around the back yard. I have carried her in a pouch on walks with my dog. She tolerates pets, but I wouldn’t call her affectionate. I get that from my mammals. I still hope she will settle down some as she ages and want to hang out more as she matures, get older, and is slightly less ravenous about food. She is still growing actively and knows I am the one that gives her food. We are working on coming when I call her name. But that is still pretty hit or miss. She is pretty good at knowing what not to bite now, and I chastise her when she looks like she’s getting that thought in her mind… I still will never trust her with bare toes.

 

[AlifKat]

She knows I’m talking about her

 

[AlifKat]

Oh! Also I have had her enclosure in the common room about 80% of her life and I think that has helped a lot too.