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 #2026955


P4rk2
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 B&W Argentine, 1 Year, Difficulties Taming

Hiya all, thanks for listening, heres the story! lol.

I have a black and white argentine Tegu named Rabbit (Love it dont you!?)

I have had him now for around 8 months and he is about a 20" long give or take a couple, i believe him to be around a year or so old.

I have always given him plenty of attention by sitting at his tank, feeding him, and placing my hand in the tank.

I have picked him up a few times but he odviously doesnt like it, tail whips, tries to bite etc but does calm down after a few minutes.

I dont like to ’force myself’ on him picking him up as many sources advise against this but some source say you should grab him and if he squirms...hold him tighter til he learns.

what are your views on this?



He now ’lives out’ his tank door is open all day and he can roam freely in the daytime.

I have tried lying on the floor and letting him approach me...which he does....all calm......then tries to bite me!

Have also tried putting him in the bath today....making him swim and leaving him no option but to use my hand to get out once he starts getting tired.

This seemed to work a bit as when he got on my hand and i lifted him out he did try to bite me when i stroked him.

The thing is everytime I think im getting somewhere, the next day hes totally fergot and struggles etc again, tries to bite or just wont come near me.

any ideas as he doesnt seem to be developing anywhere in the way of taming down.

Am giving him plenty of time and attention, often an hour a day sometimes more sometimes less and sometimes contact twice a day.

Also we are always in the same room he roams round in the evening.

Thanks in advance

Ant



06/22/09  10:49am

 #2026968


Aandfsoccr04
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   Message To: P4rk2   In reference to Message Id: 2026955


 B&W Argentine, 1 Year, Difficulties Taming

I put on one T-shirt ( so I will not get scratched up ) and one hoody ( sweatshirt.So they can hide under it ).I layed down on the couch ( when I wanted to watch TV ) and put one Tegu in between the shirts.If he/she layed still I peted them for a little while and they went to sleep.Other times they just wanted to explore and walk around and than go to sleep.Since Tegus feel save when they have a place to hide he will get used to you very fast like that.He also will stay warm and he will get to smell you and get more used to you in that way, too.This trick got my Tegus so spoiled ( and me, too ) that there are times that we take naps together like that.Please keep us posted.

You can also put an old t shirt that you have worn and place it in the tank at the end of the day after you wear it so that it can get used to your scent.



06/22/09  11:38am

 #2045541


DaremoAlpha
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   Message To: Aandfsoccr04   In reference to Message Id: 2026968


 B&W Argentine, 1 Year, Difficulties Taming

My blue tegus were like that for the longest time but I also got them as adults.
Spent lots of time just sitting with them talking to them and sticking my hand under their bellies but not lifting them up. They did not seem to mind it as they would stay on the hand.
I built a nice big enclosure and put them together with my black and white who is very tame and now they watch him get rubbed and come to check me out more than ever before.

Good luck with it.
07/26/09  10:23am

 #2045893


Big K
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   Message To: DaremoAlpha   In reference to Message Id: 2045541


 B&W Argentine, 1 Year, Difficulties Taming

if hes not taming down i wouldn’t let him free roam, just more that can stress him out but that’s just me. iv heard of people using the water trick like you said and also the shirt trick. mine used to be pretty nasty 2 but as he got older he calmed down great. i used to put a t-shirt in his tank that i wore so he could get my sent and just handled him a ton. if hes squirming don’t set him down cause then he got what he wanted. when he calms down and behaves well then set him down. when he squirms hold him tight and close to your body make him feel secure. with a lot of time and work with him he will get used to you. just stick in there.
07/26/09  10:27pm

 #2046044


DaremoAlpha
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   Message To: Big K   In reference to Message Id: 2045893


 B&W Argentine, 1 Year, Difficulties Taming

Depends Big K--- sometimes the squirming is a sign they need to do other business and don’t want to stain your shirt heehe

Jake starts to push away and I put him down and right away his tail goes up... once done I can pick him up again.

Just takes time getting used to the idea of what signals the tegu is sending out and building the needed trust factor.
07/27/09  10:27am

 #2046054


Big K
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   Message To: DaremoAlpha   In reference to Message Id: 2046044


 B&W Argentine, 1 Year, Difficulties Taming

haha yeah i hear you. mine goes to the bathroom in his feeding tub and then after that i hold him so i dont get any surprises. gotta learn those tegu routines.lol
07/27/09  10:58am


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