TEGU: Dietary and Trust Building Tips Needed

[Paratoxins]

Padma is home!

So, I've already asked on another forum, I will not say the name, and didn't get too many answers, so I'm seeking the assistance of all you lovely individuals, as I know you're just as helpful, if not more so, and more abundant member wise.

I need some trust building tips that you all may have to offer. I'll tell you about her history. As far as what has been told to me, she was initially bought at an expo by a family who did not handle her often and fed her live(so she has a thing for any sizable prey item that moves, including cats, which I take precautions on). As such, she's not terribly used to being handled, but she has never bitten anyone. At any rate, then this young couple, I assume, had seen the many popular tegu videos on youtube and thought it was really awesome how puppy tame and affectionate they were(the first thing they told us is she's not the tegu you see on youtube and they aren't what they had expected, they thought she would be affectionate seeking and tamer). They found Padma, and adopted her from the family that bought her at the expo... Well... then they realized Padma was not the tegu that they saw in the youtube videos, and, thus, the process begins again. This time she has found us, and we're determined to be her forever home. She's only 2 years old. I've, by far, been handling her every day for a little while. She eats every other day, per what her schedule was previously. What are some other trust building methods, if any, besides daily handling?

My other question was regarding dietary items. Now, I have read a few lists, one of which was on said forum, and I couldn't help notice I didn't see any mentioning of pomegranates. Are they bad? Good? Too acidic? Another thing, is I go fishing in the spring in summer months. I LOVE fishing. I know they can eat fish, and the common fish species we get in our local fishing spot is trout, bluegills, channel catfish, and bass. Mostly bluegills, though. Would bluegills be safe for tegu consumption? How about the others? I think, that, if they are, she would really love some fresh fish.

I'll post some pics. You'll notice she has a scratch on her nose. We noticed this shortly after bringing her home. Someone on the other place said it may of been where she rubbed her nose against the walls of her tank in the previous home where it was so small. If you all remember she was in a small tank maybe double her length with a thin layer of cypress mulch, a large heat mat to hide under, and a dog bowl for water. She now loves nothing more than to burrow under her small pond(ofcourse, unearthing it and dumping out all the water every time).

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/Neutralized/Paaadma/IMAG2294_1_zpsdd1f6a0e.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/Neutralized/Paaadma/IMAG2287_1_1_zps0983336b.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/Neutralized/Paaadma/IMAG2256_1_1_zpsf18184a7.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/Neutralized/Paaadma/Screenshot_2014-01-12-23-25-14_1_1_zpscc87bed1.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/Neutralized/Paaadma/Screenshot_2014-01-12-23-29-57_1_1_zpsc22ff0e8.jpg

[Paratoxins]

Anyone got any recommendations?

[infernalis]

I know exactly who you need to talk too.

I'll contact her for you.......

sSNAKESs : Reptile Forum - View Profile: Kayla_NBRescue (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/members/kayla_nbrescue.html)

[infernalis]

Sent her a message on facebook.

you may also wish to check with this group.....

Teguphiles (http://www.facebook.com/groups/120192141326139/)

[Kayla_NBRescue]

Hi there.
Wayne messaged me calling me over here.

Congrats on adopting Padma. Firstly, I'll say she looks more like a young HE. You can check for bb's on either side, right below the vent. Males have them, females dont.
[IMG]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l301/Lawla728/2734389_orig_zps505b7be3.jpg (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/Lawla728/media/2734389_orig_zps505b7be3.jpg.html)

[IMG]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l301/Lawla728/IMG_1894-Copy2_zps1d28f3f3.jpg (http://s99.photobucket.com/user/Lawla728/media/IMG_1894-Copy2_zps1d28f3f3.jpg.html)

On to answering your questions,
Bonding and trust building is just going to take some time. Many of the "youtube" tegus are under heated and poorly fed. Many of them are also adults who have already completed the grumpy puberty stage.... The owners before you probably didnt know about that so they had different expectations. Your guy/girl should be coming out of the puberty stage now and you will most likely see a change just from that. Continued interaction, as well as tong feeding. Some people will disagree and feel that tong feeding makes them associate you with food, and to bowl feed is better. I have not found that the case as tong feeding my guys is a great bonding time and I have even tamed some seriously defensive guys while tong feeding. Theres the T-shirt trick, of wearing a Tshirt around for a bit to get your scent on it and then placing it in the enclosure for them to get used to. Tub soaking. I'm iffy on this one trick. Many people swear by it and the tegu community tends to think that soaking is nessicary for hydration and sheds. I dont soak mine, but in times that I have I do notice they drink the water and it helps get shed off toes and tail. Soaking a tegu is okay, its not as bad as soaking a monitor. lol The reason I dont soak mine is because they hate it, they thrash and try to get out of the tub. Its more of an individual thing. If yours likes it (some do!) then use it to your advantage and sit next to the tub with your arm extended in, to get her/him used to your touch. You can also sit in a small room, like a bathroom and let her/him crawl over you and get used to your presence. Tegus are very curious and will mostly likely have no problems coming to investigate you and crawling over your legs saying hi. More than anything, it takes time. They definitely bond with their owner and do seek attention but it call comes with time.

As for pomegranates... I dont have an answer for that. I don't know.
Wild caught fresh fish is fine. All those you listed are fine for consumption. I just recommend freezing for 48hrs to kill any active parasites. Keep them a whole prey item, so just cut them up and feed bones,skin, head and all rather than filleting and only feeding muscle.

The rub mark on the nose is very minor and should disappear within a shed or two. :)