u/fallowdeer

From Sundog, AKA Solar Puppy

This video is Sundog over a year ago first learning to open his “hobbit door” to the enclosure.

Tegus are often described as “dog-like” and though they are undoubtedly reptiles, they appear very smart, recognize people, and are good problem solvers. They also seem to behave affectionately at times to humans—all behaviors we ascribe to dogs, which is convenient, because most people are familiar with dogs.

I want to be fair to both tegus and dogs and not so much make a comparison between the two, but to share tegu behaviors that seem to indicate how smart they are.

In a thread from yesterday u/TearsInDrowned asked for some examples of Tegu intelligence and I became interested to learn what behaviors you have all witnessed.

I’ll start— early on,
*Sundog, as a juvenile could quickly solve dog puzzles for treats.
*Once he accepted wearing a harness and learned that it meant we could go outside, he began waiting for me by the door to the yard each day, so we could walk, explore, and he could poop outside.
* He quickly learned to identify me from other humans and will at times crawl onto my lap for pets. He will, on occasion, bolt when an unknown human visits—especially tall males.
* He will nudge me to ask me to move if I’m in his way.
*He knows, from the outside of my house, where the back door is to go inside and recently has learned how to lead me to the front door of our house. if there is a closed door in my house, he’ll scratch at it to get me to open it for him.
*He decided the greenhouse he lives in, in my sunroom, is not big enough and found multiple ways to pop out the panels so he could roam—eventually convincing me to install the hobbit door you see above so he can come and go as he pleases. Obviously, he understands doors completely!

What behaviors about tegus have impressed you all?
*

A visiting friend snapped this image of Sundog exiting his enclosure today. I love this lizard so much!

Happy Tongue out Tuesday from Sundog!

Sundog a year ago and now.

Sundog has been gazing at the mountains lately. Yesterday and today, instead of taking me on our normal walk around the house, under the tree, etc.—he struck out for the hills. I tried several times to redirect him but he was determined. Finally I had to pick him up and carry him to the house, with much flailing about and huffing and puffing. Nothing like an armful of squirmy tegu. haha. What a rascal.

I went into the enclosure to get Sundog out for our walk today. He was under his big fake rock hide, sleeping, in the far corner. I have a string with a hook that holds it up while I reach in to get him, but it’s a bit awkward and I have to kneel down in the substrate to reach him. Today I fastened the rock up and said “Hey buddy, sweet Sundog, the cutest Baby Lizard, how about coming outside with me?” And I called him a few times, repeating the word “outside” which he knows—then I turned around and began to walk out. To my surprise, he followed me! This was the very first time! Of course, I made a big fuss, gave him a grape and put his harness on. Then we went outside for him to enjoy his supper.