Tegus are active animals ... right?

[OZZZ]

Hey everyone,

A few weeks ago I got a new tegu that was born in August. I received him and Im assuming hes doing some sort of brumating/hibernating behavior.

Temps are 90 degrees ambient on the hot end (sometimes a bit more90-93) and around 75-80 on the cold end. Basking areas around 100 and some spots up to 110-120 degrees.

He is always on the hot end, buried. I rarely see him. When I take him out to try and feed him, he will eat... with his eyes closed. He will sluggishly walk around here and there, then often times lay down and close his eyes.

I get up before work and check on him, hes buried. I come home from work... hes buried.

On the weekends Ive noticed he'll come out for maybe an hour or so but then goes right back to burrying himself.

I gotta tell ya ... hes boring as hell lol.

As mentioned.. Im sure its some sort of brumating behavior but correct me if Im wrong here I just want to double check.... tegus are very active animals I thought ... right?

Ive resorted to just putting some food on a plate in his enclosure when I go to work.. otherwise I would have to dig him out of his burrow to feed in the evenings and I really dont want to do that.

I did it once or twice... and he was ok with it. He would act a little flighty but not bad, once I pick him up he is ok.

So should I just get used to the idea that this is how hes going to be until spring? lol ...

 

[DavidRosi]

What type of tegu is he?

Can't say I've ever seen this behaviour with my Colombian but someone on here will be able to help I'm sure

 

[OZZZ]

What type of tegu is he?

Can't say I've ever seen this behaviour with my Colombian but someone on here will be able to help I'm sure

Hes a Chocoan B&W. I hear Columbians dont hibernate ... so I would guess that you dont see it with your guy.... but my tegu is out maybe an hour or two a day otherwise hes burried. It doesnt seem stress induced when he is out he doesnt scurry away or anything if he sees me. Hes just lazy! lol ... gotta be brumation... would you guys think?

 

[Bubblz Calhoun]

It's that time of year so change in activity should be expected brumate or hibernate, but some stay the same. Although I don't know about the eating with his eyes closed. What are you feeding? On a proper diet if it's still that sleepy then I would stop feeding and see what it does. If he's slowing down that much and trying to hibernate, you're doing more damage than good by keeping the temps that high.

Keep an eye on his weight since he's not taking in as much food.

 

[OZZZ]

The only thing regarding the temps, that makes me think I should keep them high ... is the fact that he is always burried on the hot end. Always. He never goes to the cool end for more then a minute or two. If he was hanging out on the cool end all the time burried I would think to maybe lower temps.

Even when he is out... for the hour or so hes out, hes laying on the hot end basking, then heads back into his burrow.

???????

Hes being fed ground turkey, organs, and bones (hare today) mainly. He took a fuzzy once and has licked some yogurt. I was going to try some eggs tomorrow.

Even when hes out its like he cant keep his eyes open. He just acts extremely tired.

 

[larissalurid]

This is normal behavior. My extreme giant who is only a few months old is already hibernating. Slowly drop the light and temps if he's burrowed all the time. Keeping the temps high while trying to hibernate won't be healthy. They hibernate around 6 months.

 

[Bubblz Calhoun]

Which is why I said to stop feeding him and see what he does. They have to maintain a certain body temp to properly digest food. That may be why he's hanging out on the warm side more often than not.

Also double check you temp gauges to make sure they're working properly just in case.

 

[OZZZ]

Which is why I said to stop feeding him and see what he does. They have to maintain a certain body temp to properly digest food. That may be why he's hanging out on the warm side more often than not.

Also double check you temp gauges to make sure they're working properly just in case.

I appreciate the input guys. Temp guages are fine. He really hasnt been eating much anyway so it really wont be too much trouble to not feed. In fact feeding has been a pain cuz he really doesnt eat much. If I put it in his face he'll take a bite or two but thats about it. All the while he has his eyes close. lol.

He will open his eyes and look at you, then close them again... open ... close. Just seems like he cant keep them open.

Well geeze.... I wonder if I should drop temps then too? Its just a bit intimidating Ive never had reptiles that hibernated and low temps were always a big no-no for every species Ive owned in the past.

 

[larissalurid]

If he keeps refusing to eat then just stop feeding and start shortening the amount of heat/lighting he gets daily to start.