On 2/20/2010 I E-mailed Mr. LaRocca with a problem I had with my tegu. That night I received an E-mail back stating that there was a lot of questions that needed to be answered about my tegu and he asked if he could call me. I responded with my phone number and Mr. LaRocca called me the next morning. This is my second tegu and of course I'm always learning and need help from time to time and Mr. LaRocca took the time out to personally call me and help by sharing his advice and knowledge with me. We talked for quiet a while and he asked me all about my Lil guy to get as much info on him as possible. My tegu, who I have had for a little over two weeks is very friendly, but the problem was he wouldn't eat and was not very active. We covered all of the basics on his enclosure heat ( hot and cool side ) to the temps, what he was eating, to UVB lighting before I got him. One of the last questions that was asked was if my tegu was dragging his rear legs when he walked, which he wasn't, but however, he would raise his his legs off the ground and they would shake.

I didn't know what that was, but Mr. LaRocca said it sounded like MBD ( metabolic bone disease) and advised me to take him outside and get him in to natural sunlight for 10-30 minutes and get a UVB bulb 10.0 for his enclosure. It was mentioned that this would also cause my tegu not to eat. So I went out and got a Reptile glow 10.0 and got him in the sun immediately for about 30 minutes. Then Mr. LaRocca said to help stimulate my tegu's appetite , soak him in a warm bath and while doing that get some ground turkey and mix it with some raw egg and put it in his enclosure. After 15 minutes, I put him back to eat..and what do you know..he went straight to eating finally.

So, I want to say, Thank You Mr. LaRocca for helping me even though my tegu WAS NOT purchased from you. It takes someone who really cares about tegus to help!!!!!!!!!!!

And I am looking forward to August when I can come by and see see the tegus and take a baby red home with me. So thanks again.

I just want to say that Johnny LaRocca is carrying on a Tegu bloodline that is as superior a bloodline in the Tegu society as you could get. This bloodline of Tegus originated from the late great Bert Langerwerf. Johnny is continuing Berts dream and carring on to make sure anyone who buys one of these superior animals will know that they have the best of the best in the Tegu world. Anyone that has followed Berts quest over the years knows what i'm talking about. You can't go wrong with a TEGUTERRA Tegu.

I got my red tegu in today and WOW... This girl is a beauty. She came in nice and healthy absolutley no flaws whatsoever with amazing colors.  Shes alert but calm and well formed with great build. You cant go wrong with these tegus, and I am positive I will do business again. Also, He was not hesitant on shipping like most people and she went out next day.

" I received my Argentine and red tegu today. WOW! They are absolutely flawless! They both have great weight, were alert yet calm and began to thermoregulate after they "warmed" up under their spot lights. Their color/pattern contrasts are nothing but the best. I have received 10 shipments within the last 6 months for my personal collection and these tegus were packed with the utmost care and space. The box was even still warm when I opened it! This is A+++ service and professionalism!

                                                                                                                                                - Justin "

hey Johnny,
just wanted to say thanks for the awesome tegu. He's exactly what you described..... in size, looks, & temperament...... he really is "dog-tame"!!  I'll be getting back to you soon about getting a female for him!!

thanks again,
Kevin

Hey Johnny,

I could use one word to describe this whole transaction but that still underrates who you and your animals are. That word is amazing. My first ever Tegu happens to be from your line. It is one of the tamest, aware and prettiest of all the animals I own. I have never ever been so attached to an animal. Another thing that is amazing is your service. You have taught me more about Tegus then any internet site could. You stayed up late to help me understand and learn about there care and called to make sure everything was ok. I have never met a breeder with such care and passion. I could go on and on but I will let other people find out first hand what it is like doing business with you. To all that read this do listen to his warning " you will get another soon trust me". My second Tegu is coming next week and that is not even a week after getting my first.

Take Care and keep up the excellent work,

David Barnes

....And later adds this...

Johnny,

Anytime when ever people go to ask about my Tegu I will make sure you name and company is in that Conversation. Like I said you take a Tegu who has bad reputation over size, food, and so on and make it seem like a small hamster ha-ha. And they are truly that easy to care for. On my forum I had a few people ask about size, temperament, and so on. To my shock they all had wrong info. That reds are mean, they eat costly foods, and they need a huge cage ( which is true but not no 10 foot like one person thought) and I used the knowledge I learned from you to make those people think about getting one.  I am speechless on how to continue this email.

Thanks Again, David