April 2009
Longleat Tegu Gets Egg-Scited By Easter Eggs, Or Does He?!
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Keeper, Sarah Clayson with Diego the Tegu |
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Longleat keepers are delighted to announce the arrival of a new animal, an Argentine Black and White Tegu, in Pets Corner.
Commonly known amongst the keepers as Diego, this three foot reptile would traditionally be found within the tropical rainforests of East and Central South America although this individual was given to Longleat by the RSPCA.
Argentine Black and White Tegus are primarily carnivorous and in the wild will feed on a variety of things including insects, bird eggs, small mammals and birds. Diego is proving that he’s by no means a typical Tegu as he keeps turning his nose up at birds’ eggs.
As keeper, Sarah Clayson, explains “We feed all our animals a selection of foods to both enrich their diet and to provide essential nutrients and vitamins.
“Diego is proving to be a bit of a fussy eater though as although he’s taking insects and small mammals, he has been leaving eggs well alone.
“Reptiles such as Diego can see a range of colours including ultraviolet rays.
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Diego the Tegu checking out his Easter treat! |
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Bearing this in mind, we have tried decorating the eggs in a whole selection of colours from lurid to subtle to see if this will tempt him to try them.
“To be honest, I imagine that he has never been given eggs before and therefore doesn’t quite know what he is missing” she added. “If we can persuade him to at least have a go by painting them in these exciting colours, then hopefully we can add eggs to his diet also”.
Longleat is hoping that Diego will join the ‘Meet the Creature’ sessions that will be taking place in Pets Corner over the Easter holidays. The Argentine Black and White Tegu is known for its docile nature so there are great hopes that this three foot reptile will both educate and inspire Longleat visitors over this period.
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