Handling Your Baby Tegu!

Did you wait to handle your tegu? Did that work out for you? Remember there are many different ways to do things, this is just my opinion.
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[@lsuzicosbw644]

I put a T-shirt into my baby Tegus enclosure and 10 minutes later he (or she) was rummaging in it, nudging it, burrowing in it- then fell fast asleep! So glad I subbed to your channel! Thank you for the help!

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Thats amazing!

[@gcslave13]

You’re channel is such a life saver. I feel like there’s not enough good info about tegus on KZbin despite them being so popular.

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Agree! And thank you so much!

[@AK47z]

Dope information💯

[@nomacehualpoyohuanv6075]

@@RoseCityReptilesTX I'm scared she might run away

[@patrickkerr329]

Totally agree with handling as much as possible as early as possible. I’ve given my tegus space in the past and it’s created those bad habits you mentioned and makes it harder to gain their trust back. Another common tip is to bath bonding. I’ve taken a grumpy tegu and within minutes it’s calmed down in water. Not sure if it’s an association between you “saving them” from the water or not but it works. Obviously only use a few inches of water enough where they can still touch the ground and warm but not hot water. I like to let them crawl up and down my hand/ arm. Having your hand as their only exit from the water kind of forces them to trust you. Thanks for the outdoors tip. After watching this video I’m going to take my hatchlings outside and begin acclimating them now. Appreciate your videos! Thanks for the good content and I like your vlog style of filming.

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Thank you so much for the comment! I agree with bath taming, notice I had my baby tegus soaking when we were outside, not sure if I mentioned or filmed that. Bathroom is a great place to start taming, especially when dealing with an adult tegu. I will tell people to just sit in the bathroom with their tegu and let them walk around and on them. Helps build trust and gets them used to you being around. Again, thank you for the kind words.

[@turosexotic3639]

Great video With my only tegu I did use the t-shirt method a hand full of times and each time I did I noticed a difference I held him everyday without fail his first 6 months of life

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Awesome, thank you for the feedback

[@sameve4816]

So glad I found your videos. Weve had our baby tegu for 4 days and the only person he would gladly allow to handle him was our daughter, who is obviously much smaller than me and my husband. We put his tank up on a higher table and I made sure I didnt lean in over the tank to try to grab him and he was great, didnt freak out or try to whip me with his tail he just chilled in my hand and crawled up my arm 👍😁

[@straightwhitemale2728]

I'm pretty sure the reason a tegu freaks out outside is from the sudden change in the UV lighting.

[@kiiwhee7688]

I catch hell getting my baby tegu out of the enclosure....crazy thing...once he/she is out and in the tub....seems fine. I've started actually sitting beside the enclosure and just talking to tegu about....well nothing in particular lol. Progress is finally coming as today me and the kids sat by the enclosure and finally tegu didn't run and hide today hooray...it doesn't help me that I put a ridiculous amount of dirt for enrichment and can never find him/her! ever....theres always holes and it takes forever to figure out where he/she is only to end in both of us startling one another....Seems that announcing my presence when I come by seems to have helped. Another thing I did notice that seems to be working for me at least is that when tegu digs holes. I come in and cover them up and dig my own holes while tegu is watching me. I mean I fix the dirt how I want it to be and when I go away I sneak back to see that he/she is smelling everything I touched and sometimes burrowing in holes I've dug. I don't know what its doing but it seems to help with him/her getting used to me being in and out of the enclosure. Maybe that's a tip? I dunno. But it does seem to help with him/her settling in. Need more info on tegu!!!! So far this is the only channel I've come across that I trust keep up the good work!!!

[@mariamnone816]

Wow thanks Joe, amazing! My craigslist 2 month old baby (I think it's argentine b&w) went from posturing, hissing, tail whipping, very scared, to mellow and climbing up my hand when I took it outside in a tote with water and sunshine :) And then calmly back off of my hand into the enclosure!

[@SkiTTleSTheNIX]

Here's that video I've been looking forward to! Thanks man! I'll try your method better. I get so much crap from others for trying to hold my tegus as often as I can.

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Thank you! Hope it helps!

[@directreflection]

It's good to note that reptiles and creatures of habit, so establishing routines is important and makes training easier. Also smells are associated with memories and reptiles rely on smell to hunt and eat. I've tried using a shirt but results are hard to pinpoint with so many factors. Fulfill the lizards needs, and establish a routine, adjust from there.

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

I can tell from your comments that your experienced, thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. Thats what is hard with the shirt method, there are so many factors its hard to tell if it makes a difference.

[@directreflection]

@@RoseCityReptilesTX I believe in taking advantage of the creatures natural tendencies and associations. My next trick will be a litter box inside my house with the same substrate my tegu will use in his outdoor housing. I potty trained a green iguana to use a litter box of guinea pig food, so as to avoid gut impaction from cat litter. He actively searched out his litter box. Smells are strong and these lizards are extremely intelligent. Time and patience brother

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

You said that right, time and patience. Sounds awesome, hope that works out for you. I have seen others potty train their tegu.

[@directreflection]

@@RoseCityReptilesTX excellent videos, sound advice. Thanks for taking the time to make them, I'm sure newcomers to reptile keepers are very thankful. Keep up the good work!

[@gregorywells1060]

I love this guys he knows his Stuff

[@hisnamewasrocco]

When I get a tegu it definitely will be from you! Great vid!

[@NoGiRilla]

Great video nice tips I love how you work on them before selling it’s a great thing 👍 I have done the shirt thing for all my snakes seemed to work or my snakes are just nice lol great video again it’s always fun seeing the baby tegus take care bro 💪🏼🔥💪🏼

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Thank you so much!

[@lucasanderson5499]

Awesome video! Thank you!

[@jthinerman1184]

Great video man! Awesome information!!

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Thank JT!

[@jacksbps]

I'm currently trying it but I've been told it definitely works aswell

[@naturalreach4316]

Outstanding sir

[@tonysprimitiveanimals8445]

I totally agree with you Joey. When I first got my tegus I did not wait a week or anything I started touching it the very same morning I got them. Awesome video brother👍

[@tonysprimitiveanimals8445]

I did put one of my shirt inn but I don’t know if it work or not because I was handling them every day.

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

It definitely doesn't hurt!

[@merryharrison4841]

Hi yes I have used my shirt in the inclosures and it dose help in taming

[@ariannamadoshus4030]

I don't even have a tegu lol

[@annettegoff9998]

Thanks I'm going to do that

[@figuresix]

I may be adopting a baby today that is blind. Local reptile store is looking for someone to adopt her. Thanks for all your info. I am not new to reptiles we have 21 reptiles. But I appreciate all your info since this will be my first Tegu.

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Thank you for watching and for the feedback! Hope you get your new tegu today!

[@baileyasherjames2036]

I’m about to buy a tegu and I’m probably gonna try something with my scent. I’ve raised several boa constrictors and I did that with one of them. Idk if it made any difference of course especially because they aren’t nearly as intelligent as a tegu but I think it gave me more confidence and if the animal senses the confidence I think it makes them more comfortable

[@bradleymiller437]

I can't decide whether I want a tegu, chameleon, or iguana. Too early to tell. I will continue watching youtube. Great channel.

[@annettegoff9998]

I put a t shirt I used when I first got my tegu and it seemed to help him calm down a little

[@dysfunctionalthor4719]

So what’s a good way of trying to actually pick them up?

[@jacknguyen5432]

watching you handle the babies I suddenly wannt to put my tegu in my hand...but then I realized he was a super powerful juvenile that I almost always have to hold with both hands

[@Tirso_C]

What do u feed them

[@johndoe5732]

What are you feeding the babies in the b roll in the beginning of vid? They were eating off a plate

[@sammythai99]

Your videos are great 👍 Too bad I live in a different country, I would definitely buy from a breeder like you

[@zachfletcher1029]

My kids love this video

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

That's awesome!

[@kennynyc1555]

so what if you have a tank how would you avoid not picking em up from a height?

[@zaerberus9623]

Hey, awesome video. Thanks for advice! I'm planing to get a young tegu soon. I got one question. You said just grab in, even if he runs from me. Doesn't that make associating me with something negative? I've read, slowly use food to get them used to your hand or something

[@tabathataylor1407]

What can you do to help filing down the baby’s toenails ? We just got are baby a mth ago. She doesn’t eat good. Maybe 2 or 3 bites of salmon or Ck Or a bite of egg

[@metalmomma4229]

I have tried the wash cloth after keeping it in my shirt for a few hours. My baby loves to lay on it as a bed but it didn't help bonding at all lol

[@tryven1]

So the tegu I got is 3 months old and thus far will not let me touch it at all, it runs. It tries to get out of enclosure when I open it and will at times climb up my hand if I put it in front when looking to get out and up my arm but only to look for a place to leap and escape. It will not sit still on my hand ect.

[@TheBladerunner73]

When do they normally hatch? Is it around August. My wife and myself are planning to get one but want one from a hatchling so I might have to wait a while

[@saraellman7844]

Is it true that the reason tegus react so badly towards their owners when they go outside for the first time because we look very different to them in natural ultra violet light ?

[@jtareptiles6408]

Hey I just subscribed. I just got a gold tegu, do you keep any? And do you find them harder to tame down? Thanks for any info and I'll be watching a lot.

[@michaelshea2017]

I just got a red tegu and it is about a foot long, not sure of age. If I put my hand in front of him he will give a few tongue flicks at it but if I try n pick him up he gets mad moves really fast like trying to buck my hand. How do I pick him up?

[@tkreptiles1170]

If you just got a baby and if it go down for brumation and if you didn't have that much time to socialize it when he wake up will he be aggressive

[@kennynyc1555]

My new baby tegu giving me the side eye :( I have in a 20 gallon top mesh starter tank , realized fast its not good to have to much stuff in tank cuz makes harder to get at tegu , how do you get around this , can ya show us you taking one out of enclosure

[@venomoussound5050]

What do I do if my baby Tegu is terrified of me. Like I can't even reach over to the side to get his food without him breathing hard or backing up. If I want to change his water he runs away instantly. Touching him is completely out of the question currently. I've had him for a month now.

[@selenlibesthene2304]

Speaking to reputable breeders, or those who've owned Tegus for decades, the methods you mentioned are the methods they use. Just like most reptile communities, however, people get crazy specific with care and handling. ( Especially Bearded Dragons, I've noticed. ) I own three little Tegus right now, and the two girls crawl right onto my hand when I reach into their enclosure. Handling them from the start, like dragons, seems best. ( Some species, like Green Iguanas, seem better with slow trust building, though! ) I went from tong feeding to hand feeding rapidly as trust built, and now I handle them daily. My male is the only one not taking to the handling, but he was also roughly held still by both his breeder and the local exotic vets. ( Respiratory infection, swollen hemipenis/prolaspe from improper sexing ) and needed shots/medicine administered daily/ every 3 days. ) So I think the secure grips and rough handling have made him a bit more weary than my girls, who didn't have to go through that.

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Every animal is definitely a individual and some species require different methods. Thank you for mentioning that, also thank you for sharing your experience, very detailed and educational. I appreciate it!

[@abyss610]

i have the same issue with my blue tongue and pretty sure it was because he had a respiratory infection when i got him and had to give him meds for weeks as soon as i got him. its been 6 months and still hides all the time and hisses when i go to pick him up but then calms down eventually. just got a blue tegu yesterday so this video was very helpful.

[@britr5058]

I recently got my first tegu, It is a golden tegu. Do you have a way to contact so I can ask some questions? I would greatly appreciate it.

[@samjohnson9746]

My hatchling tegu is going into brumation. Is there anything I should do differently from an adult? How will this affect his socialization? It’s my first time and I’m scared about him losing weight.

[@jordantinker171]

I tried putting a piece of clothing in the enclosure personally I don't think it works. But getting them out handling them and talking to them gets them used to human interaction. After I mess with them for awhile I like to hand/tong feed for positive reinforcement.

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Sounds like your on the right track! Thanks for the feedback

[@gsrpepesam]

Hiya I just started watching you videos they are just full of great info. I would really love to have a Tegu from you knowing how well you treat them from such a young age.😍 But I live in Spain and I have not found a breeder yet😢 I have a bearded dragon they are coman here... But I will still keep watching your great videos, I will keep learning for when my moment comes I will be ready 👍 thank you

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@anythinggoesc33j4y]

... great video ...

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Thank you!

[@trungtruong8516]

I have just got a new baby for 3 days. He just 1 month or maybe 2. He so cute when outside his enclosure. But when he inside, he like a devil. Always try to bite, whipping my hand when i try to take him out of his enclosure. What should i do now? Keep try to take him out daily? He is not very greedy. Cant be tong feeded. Should i starve him until he can eat with tongs outside his enclosure?

[@shauntattedblack]

Hey I've been googling and youtubing for weeks to find out more on hand taming a 1 1/2 year male that never got handled, got him from my sister who passed from cancer. Any advice would help

[@oneeye6033]

What about coccidia? Are you not worried about over stressing the animals esp after being shipped? Their immune systems could be compromised. I just got mine and am debating on the amount of time to wait. He's extremely jumpy and skittish and I'm worrying about over stressing him...

[@tailwhip3774]

I’ve heard the t shirt for your scent for last 4 or 5 years. I’ve never tried with any of my animals but the experienced bunch that I know of have claimed it to be of some help. They usually try this for tegus that make you work a little harder to earn the trust. I used to have a Chacoan. He was easy. My blue that I have now is one in a million. He has been amazing since receiving him day 1 and he’s the same way now 1 year later. He’s so chill that it’s more him earning my trust. Lol. He might just be a double agent. A sneaky, scaly, sub creature from S. America on culvert mission seeking blue prints of giant rodent warehouses nationwide throughout the U.S., but he’s cute so I don’t really think that’s so.

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

haha you never know! They are all individuals thats for sure! Some make you work for it and some are social from the start. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@dylanmacleod6589]

how do you tell if the baby tegu is a male or female? going to a reptile expo tomorrow and really want to get a male one but ive found 0 info online on sexing small ones. i see you marked yours blue and pink

[@kennynyc1555]

My new baby tegu giving me the side eye :( I have in a 20 gallon top mesh starter tank , realized fast its not good to have to much stuff in tank cuz makes harder to get at tegu

[@DM-xz9md]

How much are you selling a tegu

[@reneemaurice9508]

Hey I'm pretty new to your channel I love the information I'm getting it's amazing, your animals are all beautiful I just have a quick question about one I saw on this video, a few of your babies had super green heads then a darker body with no green, will they stay like that as adults because i find it really beautiful

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Welcome! I wish it did but as they get older the green heads fade.

[@tykoehler4682]

That is a lot of baby tegus

[@jess-sweetheartt8820]

awesome vid, love ur approach and reassured me and doing the correct thing! i am in uk and when days allow, we are having short spells out doors :) I was wondering what ur take on digging them up is. mine regularly comes out in mornings, occasionally she is wake but in her hide so i do open the hide n encourage her out, she usually spends about 3 hrs average out, my vet said i should wake her up early evening for a little while aswell. i not sure about this advice tho! She is aged approx 5mnths. thx :)

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Thank you for watching. Waking her up is just fine.

[@Jpthemanz]

Just got a baby b&w tegu Saturday from repticon. Still has a little green head. He's rather calm and doesnt try to bolt when I pick him up. Just kinda flicks his tongue a bunch and looks around before exploring. Only issues is the occasional sneeze after drinking/eating wetter foods and a missing foot. Probably bitten off by a sibling.

[@Dewey_Boondye420]

Jptheman how much were they going for at repticon? im going to the tn repticon on the 8th & need to know how much to bring

[@merryharrison3619]

I work with my Teague everyday but he is still afraid even after 5 months

[@tonygugino2066]

The shirt thing...I have used the shirt or shorts thing on pythons and boas.. Columbia red tail it's %100 worked.not on a python..I now have a black and white tegu juvy I'll try but I do find it more possible with them because there amazingly smart

[@spirosxrisafis3149]

The thumbs down must have been from the guy who blocked me on Facebook for this exact advice! I was wondering if the ceiling fan who bother them?

[@melaniewalker8822]

I have notices set to “all” but haven’t seen a new one….have you made any lately?

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Maybe turn them off and then back on. We have made more, we had one come out this morning 😁

[@Tirso_C]

Have u ever had puberty problems with them when they are older

[@jdandkikisExotics]

i just got a new baby its about a month or 2 old hope he calms down soon lol

[@marcgould8922]

What about the whole puberty thing that everyone stresses about ,great video ?

[@nativeson5938]

How do you know which tegu have hypo gene and how do you know what tegu to keep for breeding?

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

There are no proven hypo gene for tegus at this time. Only anery and albino. As far as keeping some for holdbacks to breed just have a goal in mind and work toward it.

[@yoojeongyeon3583]

I’m a beginner with tegus, how much do you feed them a day? By the way I love your channel!!

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Be careful! They are addicting Haha. I feed babies as much as they want once a day. As they get older that changes...i need to make a video on this topic.

[@yoojeongyeon3583]

haha amazing i’ll look forward to it for sure!

[@IrieRogue]

My tegu sleeps on my belly every single night. He definitely likes my scent, when I leave him in our blankie or leave one of my shirts with him when I'm at work, it seems to help significantly. He throws a fit when I leave no matter what lol. He is still adjusting to the sun and cars, however.

[@merryharrison3619]

Yes I put a shirt in with him and now he will let my hold him but only when I have food

[@joshuafrison5793]

So I got a tegu. Dude said he was socialized by him. He tries biting me every time I go to get him out of the cage and I’ve been doing the water taming truck and he chills out and let’s me hold him after he’s been in the water for about 5 minutes but up until then he’s tail whipping and trying to bite

[@MB-yw7up]

Try to get him used to your scent by putting your fist inside his habitat near him so he licks/smells you. Do that a few times a day per week and then slowly try picking him up from the bottom. Like the guy in the video said they tend not to like being grabbed from uptop. Be patient, use slow movements instead of jerky movements.

[@luisuriostegui556]

I just got a baby tegu today ! Thanks for the tips ! my only question is ,should I still handle as much as possible even if he whips his tail at me ? I tried to pick him up today and he whipped his tail .thanks

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Yes I suggest you ignore that tail whipping and move in with a steady hand. Once you pick him up you will see him start to settle. I like to hold them for a few minutes until they are calm. Do that a few times a day and you will see it gets easier and easier.

[@luisuriostegui556]

@@RoseCityReptilesTX awesome ,I will start today !thanks for responding 😁

[@krono3838]

How am I suppose to reinforce good behavior if I feed in a separate bin and dont want to tong feed or feed them outside of his bin, should I just put him in the bin or should I give him tiny treats with the tongs, because in the bin is where I give the big main meal of the day

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

When you handle him and put into the bin for feeding he will be reinforced with being taken out of his enclosure and brought over to the feeding bin. Sounds like you are already reinforcing it. Great job

[@krono3838]

Ok great!! Thanks!

[@wescox9796]

Hay I have a 3 month or so old tegu and she is pretty skittish and I handle her as much as I can when I can but try not to over do it, but she I still not making too much progress any ideas how to work with her

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Keep on handling her. I am glad you used the word skittish instead of aggressive. You are right, she is scared. Show her that you can hold her and no harm will be done. Just keep at it and you will see a change.

[@wescox9796]

Ok cool thanks man, u have a cool channel goin keep it up, ur helping people's like me get things right witch in the end helps the animals

[@mat1988ize]

I've noticed the blue and pink marks on their backs, is that to distinguish the sexes or to know which clutch they came from?

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

That is just to help me ID them because they were shipping out that day.

[@mat1988ize]

Hope those little ones go to great homes. May the Tegu gods keep them safe along their journey.

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

They all arrived early this am safe and sound and all in incredible homes!

[@GuitarMechanics]

Do you sell and ship babies???where are you located?id love to get one from you I have been looking for a good place to get one I don’t trust places I have no insight with

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Yes I do sell and ship babies. I will have some available early summer.

[@gregpower2002]

Agree with everything said here. I don't think t he clothing or bathtub method work all that well.

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Thanks Greg, I don't think so either.

[@chronicpain2270]

can i buy one of your tegus

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

just go to the web site and contact us through there! The link is in the description.

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Or feel free to call or text, number is on the website

[@dwightthomas3174]

Big fan I would love if u respond back wassup

[@RoseCityReptilesTX]

Thank you for watching the videos!!