Eating problems

[aat4]

I've had my red tegu for about 4 months now and he is approximately 5 months old. During his first 2 months with me he was a garbage disposal, he ate everyday and ate quite a bit. For the last two months though, its been almost the complete opposite. I believe that it may have to do with the fact that I have to leave food in for hours while I'm gone at work so we no longer have a set eating time like I used to. He is still eating (I check him almost everyday for any hints that he may be getting skinnier. I may just be paranoid but I know that growing tegus need to eat a lot and I don't want him to be stunted. I'm going to take him to my dad later this week for a check up (He's a reptile vet, I'm very fortunate). So mainly what I'm looking for is to see if anyone else has had this problem and/or if anyone has any tips to get him eating like he used to. Thanks guys .

 

[Maro1]

My experience is that they go through periods of insatiable appetite and other times of slow down. mine has hit their first year mark and they have recently slowed down eating. It's hotter and they seem a bit sluggish. In the last year I have seen this 3 separate times. They always seem to comeback to eating

 

[jumper123]

they go through stages. And my personal advice that I learned from a couple specialist is not to feed youngins daily. Most People on this forum are going to disagree. But some have see good results and slower growth rates so their bodies can work more on forming properly than growing quickly.

 

[reptastic]

^^^^ i Cant say i agree because tegus go through growth spurts and they need plenty of food to maintain a healthy growth, but to the OP tegus will have their days were they just arent hungry, most likely due to a larger meal they are trying to digest, or they may not be interested in the food being offered, what are the temmp, humidity and uvb like These can effect their appitites also

 

[aat4]

The basking temperature is currently 108, while the cool side of the cage is about 76. I have UVB 10.0 as it is the only one which effectively reaches the bottom of my tank where my tegu spends his time. At night all the lights go off and his heat source is an under-tank heating pad. Thanks again for your help guys.

 

[james.w]

How is your red doing? Get rid of the UTH, tegus burrow to escape the heat and this makes that not possible.

 

[aat4]

He's doing really well, I introduced some small pinky's with the advice of my dad, and he loves them. Thanks for the advice on the UTH, I'll pull that out, you guys have been a huge help, thanks!