Eating habits/argentine tegu going "off feed "?

[BatGirl1]

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Niles has been refusing food since 10/6... I keep offering every few days and today kind of 'made him ' eat a bit by putting cod liver oil, calcium and some meat 'juice ' in syringe and dropping it at the front of his mouth to lick it.didn't get too much in though.he doesn't seem to be losing any tail base fat or anything, but wondering if he is trying to brumate or hibernate what should I be doing differently (if anything) and when should I 'worry ' ( what signs to be looking for that would indicate a problem).. thanks for any input.

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[james.w]

Does he have substrate to burrow down and hibernate into? Does he come out daily on his own? Was he eating regularly prior to this issue?

 

[BatGirl1]

He spends a lot of time burrowed underneath bedding.he does come out at times to bask.(I also hold him almost daily) I got him on 9/11 and had been averaging feeding about every 3rd day.now he has taken only a bite here and there...but today didn't want anything.

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[james.w]

Sounds like he is slowing down and getting ready to hibernate. I would make sure you are prepared either way and follow his lead. They know what they are doing.

 

[BatGirl1]

So when he comes out to bask do I keep offering food? Even though he never wants any.also do I need to set anything up differently? Or do I just let him do what he wants...one side has heat/light/uvb the other nothing and his water is on that side.right now I see him basking....

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[james.w]

You can offer food when he comes out. If he stops coming out completely you can shut off the lights.

 

[HeatherN]

tegus wont let themselves starve unless there is an issue. i agree that it sounds like brumation. try not to handle him unless he is out and about, and i would still offer food when he's out for now, but after a bit (when its beyond apparent that hes going into brumation) i think it's a good idea to stop food. it would help prevent waste sitting in his system for too long while he brumates,

 

[BatGirl1]

Ok...I just wanted to be sure he would be ok.I almost lost my son's bearded, "mary ", because didn't understand the whole brumation thing...ugh.now she's great

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[attachment=5575]"mary "

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