Tegu free-roam

[purplegeyser]

My Tegu is pushing 5 feet now and I'm thinking of just giving him a section of the house. He gets his digging urges outside and i'll probably still use his enclosure as well.

I have a pretty big section of my kitchen that's just left empty. It has tile floors and I'm thinking that's the best bet. As far as humidity goes, however, I dunno what the best thing to do is.

Ideas?

[Lankyrob]

Build a viv that takes up the spare space so that you know he has the right conditions

[Little Wise Owl]

Build a viv that takes up the spare space so that you know he has the right conditions

This.

Their humidity requirements are too high to be achieved in a kitchen. I would also offer digging substrate at all times.

[smy_749]

Digging is not an urge...they dig for reasons.

[purplegeyser]

Digging is not an urge...they dig for reasons.

Yes they do. Thanks for that.

[purplegeyser]

This.

Their humidity requirements are too high to be achieved in a kitchen. I would also offer digging substrate at all times.

I figured as much. Better get crackin'. lol

& I do have substrate. I just enjoy taking him outside on warm days and he has his favorite spot there.

[B_Aller]

allowing reptiles to free roam is irresponsible and in all cases detrimental to the health of the animal. If you are not willing or able to build a proper enclosure that allows for room to move, do not own these animals.

[purplegeyser]

Lol so harsh... My tegu is in his cage most of the time, but he asks to be let out so i do let him out for some exercise now and then around the house or outside. Im watching him always. I was just asking if anyone had any creative enclosure ideas for the house considering his size. Ive heard of people customizing their spare bathroom n stuff like that, thought id be able to hear some cool stuff. Turns out im just criticized. :/

[SnoopySnake]

I would agree with building the enclosure big enough to take up all of the spare space in your kitchen.. Then you get a huge enclosure to look at and you can be assured that your lizard always has proper temps, humidity, digging space, etc. :p I also agree against letting him run arond freely..

[purplegeyser]

I would agree with building the enclosure big enough to take up all of the spare space in your kitchen.. Then you get a huge enclosure to look at and you can be assured that your lizard always has proper temps, humidity, digging space, etc. :p I also agree against letting him run arond freely..

Sounds good, I've got a custom cage in the works.

I didn't know it was so bad for them to be let out of their cage once in a while. It's something I've been doing for years and my tegu has had no problems and he seems to look forward to it. On average, he's taken out a couple hours a day. Should I be discontinuing this?

[SnoopySnake]

I guess I should reword that..I dont think there's anything wrong with letting them run around and explore under supervision, or to come out of their cage.. I just wouldn't leave them out of an enclosure all of the time where they're free to roam the house/kitchen whenever they like to.. If he doesn't seem stressed with being out for a couple hours then I don't see why not.

[purplegeyser]

I guess I should reword that..I dont think there's anything wrong with letting them run around and explore under supervision, or to come out of their cage.. I just wouldn't leave them out of an enclosure all of the time where they're free to roam the house/kitchen whenever they like to.. If he doesn't seem stressed with being out for a couple hours then I don't see why not.
I think my thread title needs to be renamed.

Everytime I mention taking him out, though, there are people who have given me a lot of crap and I'm wondering if there's any long term damage that could happen. I have friends who are tegu people that do the same thing as I do and there doesn't seem to be an issue. I could probably shorten the amount of time he's out.

Thanks though, I'm excited for this new cage design. Will probably post a picture when it's finished.

[LadyWraith]

It's your thread title. The term free-roam makes most people think about most time spent outside of the enclosure vs. most time spent in with occasional out time like what you do. I think of the stories from the 80s about people having free-roam Burmese or Reticulated pythons... like the snake equivalent of a dog roaming around the house 24/7.

[purplegeyser]

It's your thread title. The term free-roam makes most people think about most time spent outside of the enclosure vs. most time spent in with occasional out time like what you do. I think of the stories from the 80s about people having free-roam Burmese or Reticulated pythons... like the snake equivalent of a dog roaming around the house 24/7.

Yeaaahhh.

How would I edit the thread title? >___>

*shoot I don't think I can.

[B_Aller]

Lol so harsh... My tegu is in his cage most of the time, but he asks to be let out so i do let him out for some exercise now and then around the house or outside. Im watching him always. I was just asking if anyone had any creative enclosure ideas for the house considering his size. Ive heard of people customizing their spare bathroom n stuff like that, thought id be able to hear some cool stuff. Turns out im just criticized. :/

Sorry to seem harsh, just trying to be realistic and to the point, nothing personal.

Your animal is not asking to be "let out" it's telling you that the enclosure your have provided is not offering the proper options. An animals enclosure is not it's home, it is it's environment and it must have multiple homes within it's environment. A well designed enclosure will allow for both resting and foraging. Free roaming, even under supervision is detrimental to the health of the animal. Check out Dr. Mader's books (Reptile medicine and Surgery Vol. 1 and 2) for multiple accounts of free roaming lizards that consumed nerf footballs, children's Tu-tu's, plastic bugs, towels etc. Almost every outcome was death.
You have a wild, exotic animal in a box, it is your responsibility to provide the proper conditions at all times.
Best.

[purplegeyser]

Sorry to seem harsh, just trying to be realistic and to the point, nothing personal.

Your animal is not asking to be "let out" it's telling you that the enclosure your have provided is not offering the proper options. An animals enclosure is not it's home, it is it's environment and it must have multiple homes within it's environment. A well designed enclosure will allow for both resting and foraging. Free roaming, even under supervision is detrimental to the health of the animal. Check out Dr. Mader's books (Reptile medicine and Surgery Vol. 1 and 2) for multiple accounts of free roaming lizards that consumed nerf footballs, children's Tu-tu's, plastic bugs, towels etc. Almost every outcome was death.
You have a wild, exotic animal in a box, it is your responsibility to provide the proper conditions at all times.
Best.

I have a pretty elaborate enclosure in the works since I have the available space. I will post a picture upon its completion and if he does not ask to be let out as often I'll take your word for it that that's a good sign.

He's been healthy as a horse and very sociable thus far, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop watching him like a hawk if he's ever outside of his enclosure or soaking in a bath. Rest assured, I'm aware of my responsibilities. Thank you for the advice, though, I'm eager to finish his new setup. x3