How often should I feed my Tegu?

I've looked at all the online care sheets and they all say <i>what</i> to feed her but not how often. I've been giving her one or two mice a week, plus whatever rat pinkies my baby snakes don't eat (usually one or two), and I offer her fruit salad with vitamin supplement almost every day.

Enough? Too much? Thanks in advance.

I am no expert, I will forwarn you. But from what I know about the Tegus at the Reptile Store near me (I practically live at the place), they feed their Argentine B & W a mixed diet of beef heart, liver, steak, chicken breasts, etc, roughly twice a week. They throw in the occasional mice (of various sizes) whenever they feel like it, so maybe another 2 days a week, and it has constant access to supers, but their tegu doesn't really go for them often at all. And of course they give it veggies and fruit everyday. This is an adult male that is about 5 years old.

I imagine it depends on the age and kind of tegu you have. I know that reds require a lot of fruits in order to prevent shedding problems.

Maybe try talking to the breeder or people you got them from.

Tegus can be glutenous garbage disposals, and can get overweight easily.

Thanks!

Yeah, the problem is it came into the pet store from people that weren't taking good care of it, and the owner of the pet store is no Tegu expert either.

She never gobbles down too much fruit salad... even though I cut it up with a little hamburger, so I'm guessing she's not starving...

I should try mixing up her meat a little, the liver and stuff sounds like a good idea...

Beth,

You can try throwing some superworms in with the fruit. She may be attracted by the movement.

Good idea, thanks!

with regard to tegus and monitors, the animals size and the temperatures are primary factors when deciding on a feeding program. keep in mind that in the wild, they are truly opportunistic - they eat what they can, when they find it. youngsters should eat pretty much daily and should have a high intake of animal protein. that can be kept up as they grow, as long as the size of the meals is monitored (you don't want them to get obese). what most people do is space the meals out more as the prey items (or quantity) gets bigger. does it eat the fruit regularly?