Jazz has been in her new enclosure now for a week and a half. ever since i put her in it, she has been very frightful of me when i open the door (even though i make the same clicking noise i always have with her and move slowly). she huffs an puffs and walks to the back corner underneath the second floor while keeping a close eye on me. she will then lay down near the back wall (probably her "safe zone"). she isnt terrified because she doesnt run, its always a slow and watch. i try to keep the mood very calm relaxing too.
Now i know this happens and also some tegu's get more aggressive. My question is how long will this be happeneing until she gets 100% comfortable? she has never snapped at me, or my g/f, and when i actaly get ahold of her to spend some time with her, or feed her, she relax's and lets me hold her for a few minutes before she wants to get down and explore.
i know this is frowned upon, but i very carefully dug her out of her substrate when she was sleeping today so she can eat (hasnt eaten in 3 days because she is mostly burrowed or sleeping). she was extremely upset (huff and puff big time). i let her bask alittle and then brought her to the tub for a mouse. she didnt want to eat it so i took the mouse out and gave her a warm bath. she was still huffing at me which isnt normal for her. once the warm water reached her she calmed down and layed down and relaxed. i camly stroked her back, poored warm water on her back, and gave her a neck rub whle talking to her and making that clicking noise with my toungue. she then was tolerable with me and didnt huff again.
20 min later, i drained the water and offered the mouse again which she took instantly. i then picked her up with no issues and held her for 5 min and talked to her while petting her and clicking my toungue. i put her in the enclosure on a basking spot and she walked calmly to the back of the enclosure without puffing at me.
i never used the shirt trick because i never had to, but today i threw in 2 shirts (one my g/f wore yesturday and one i wore yesturday). i hope she goes back to her normal self soon.
has anyone had this problem? how long did this go on? i just want my tegu to be comfortable and relaxed. i dont think she will bite because she doesnt get defensive like that. the puffs are more like "ok i dont want u to touch me" lol
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