Hello everyone. I'm new to the site but i've been around for years.

[Payton Wroughton]

Alright, so i've wanted to get a Tegu for a long time. i have had a LOT of reptiles in the past, i.e. uromastyx, bearded dragon, savanna monitor, ball python, king snake, and a rosy boa. So i recently got a hatchling Columbian Gold Tegu (about 2 weeks ago now) and i have a few questions and concerns that i can't seem to find the answer to.

first question, he seems to be hiding all the time, and i mean ALL the time. Now i understand that i am new and strange for him so thats really not a huge concern, But his movement is. He is kind of jerky and i really don't want to say skittish, but kind of. so whats up with that?

second question, i can't seem to keep his humidity up, what do you guys recommend? (i'm currently using a 20 gallon, and yes i know its too small but its what i got for the moment) i was thinking the zoo med fogger but i haven't seen good reviews on the quality.

third question, this may seem very odd since i have owned many other reptiles. How do you feed? now i feed my other repti's out of their enclosure so they do not associate my hand with food and it has worked wonders. BUT, and this is a big But, my Tegu absolutely LOVES to jump and run and has on many occasions jumped out of my hands and tried to scurry off. When i first got him he was eating great every day and now he seems to not be interested in food, but he looks full even though he hasn't been eating regular like he used to. and this concerns me quite a bit. so i need a little help.

 

[loweryrr]

They are skittish lizards until they trust you but they do like to hide a lot. May be relocation stress, may be stress from the tank size or may just be an anxious lizard. Cant say much about the fogger as I have never owned one. You could buy a humidifier and keep it in close proximity to the cage or just use a spray bottle and spray as often as you need to. Cypress mulch helps with humidity. As for feeding I would say feed outside the cage. Don't want to risk an impaction from substrate or cage aggression. You can buy a plastic tote or feed him in a dry bath tub if your worried about him running away.