Tegus

[Kiljosh]

So this is for the future, probably pretty distant for now.

I know I want a large lizard. I also am aware they are expensive to feed and not an easy animal to raise properly. I have been trying to decide between Savs and Tegus. Both seem very smart with personalities. But I have decided that when the time comes and I can build a proper enclosure I'll end up getting a Tegu. The colors(or lack of) on the Black and White's really are a bonus to me.

I have read they are more resilient to colder temperatures as opposed to Savs, which is a big bonus because I intend to live somewhere with 4 seasons, not 2(hot and warm). I have also read they are omnivores, but am not sure of what this means exactly. I obviously know it means veggies and meat are in it's diet but I am looking for information on what is safe to feed, what is recommended to feed, and what I need to do to make this creature grow strong when I get him. Can I feed them Dubia? What about mealworms/beetles? If I am going to get a bug eater I am definitely going to start a feeder colony, but only of the perfect food for him/her. Dubia don't bother me, but I think the woman would want the worms/beetles over roaches in our house any day of the week.

If anyone who has a Tegu can point me to a site like this one, with helpful members who are knowledgeable and have enough brain's to carry on normal conversations involving punctuation, capitalization, and proper grammar(mostly haha) I'd appreciate it. Also any personal advice is appreciated, don't sugarcoat anything I won't run away. :crazy2:

Thanks Ssnakess

[BarelyBreathing]

I have two tegus, and Argentine black and white and a Colombian black and white. They are a lot more hardy than any monitor, really, and a lot less specialized in diet than savannah monitors. I highly recommend tegus for keepers who have a little knowledge of reptiles under their belts.

Tegu Talk used to be a great site, but unfortunately, it seems that they couldn't pay their bills.

Most species of tegus eat a bit of fruit. Their main diet should consist of whole prey items. Roaches are great, so are crickets, earth worms, rodents, chicks, snails, crayfish, silversides, etc. Just be sure what you are feeding them is fresh and organic.

If there's anything more specific you're looking for, just ask. :)

[Kiljosh]

Any recommendations on where to get a healthy baby for someone who lives in the Northeast. I feel bad shipping animals, I'd rather pick one up on my own.

[BarelyBreathing]

I'm not really familiar with breeders in your area. I got mine at a local reptile store that's extremely reputable. I suppose just keep your eyes open. Check Kingsnake. They may have some in your area.

[Gungirl]

I have found a lot of reptile breeders through facebook, post up and maybe someone you are friends with knows someone that knows someone. That is how I have contacted several people about different things.

[Trent]

The red tegus are very nice as well!

[beardeds4life]

^^^^^^^agreed!

[Rogue628]

The boyfriend and I have decided that once we move and get settled, a tegu is a lizard we both want to start out with. Like you, I found similar information about their husbandry and diet. They seem to be a bit more forgiving of noob lizard keepers and that was a huge plus for us. I'd hate to get an animal that's a bit delicate and I have no experience with and it get sick or worse, die.

Hopefully we'll be moved by the time the ban is in effect and be able to get one before the end of the year. :)

[beardeds4life]

the ban? what ban?

[Skumbo]

the ban? what ban?

I don't know of any :O_o:

[Rogue628]

The ban on my burms. I've got to get moved before it goes into effect next month or ship them to the boyfriend's mom and step dad and hope they'll follow my instructions on care. His mom's afraid of snakes, but his step dad knows a little. He's just never been around burms. Still I don't like leaving my animals in anyone's care. I'm really OCD about every little thing about them lol

[Strutter769]

Does anyone have an adult red tegu to post a picture of? I've only seen babies.

[millertime89]

The ban on my burms. I've got to get moved before it goes into effect next month or ship them to the boyfriend's mom and step dad and hope they'll follow my instructions on care. His mom's afraid of snakes, but his step dad knows a little. He's just never been around burms. Still I don't like leaving my animals in anyone's care. I'm really OCD about every little thing about them lol
when were you PLANNING on moving? You've got more time than you think. I'll explain more in the ban thread.

[Rogue628]

when were you PLANNING on moving? You've got more time than you think. I'll explain more in the ban thread.

Trying to move in the middle of next month. Moving from La to Ok.

[Skumbo]

The ban on my burms. I've got to get moved before it goes into effect next month or ship them to the boyfriend's mom and step dad and hope they'll follow my instructions on care. His mom's afraid of snakes, but his step dad knows a little. He's just never been around burms. Still I don't like leaving my animals in anyone's care. I'm really OCD about every little thing about them lol

OH, sorry.. new to the forum still, don't know who has what lol.. I thought you meant a tegu ban since this was in a tegu thread!

[millertime89]

OH, sorry.. new to the forum still, don't know who has what lol.. I thought you meant a tegu ban since this was in a tegu thread!

yeah... we tend to get off topic here.

[Skumbo]

yeah... we tend to get off topic here.

I bought a toaster today.

[millertime89]

lol, well not THAT off topic, the "Let's Talk, I'm bored" thread is a good place

[Skumbo]

lol, well not THAT off topic, the "Let's Talk, I'm bored" thread is a good place
:crazy:

On the topic of tegu's, my friend who "made" me go to my first reptile expo (and therefore get my first snake!) has an awesome tegu named critter lol

[millertime89]

lol, love the name.

[BarelyBreathing]

Critter! Ask if you can post pictures!

[Skumbo]

Critter! Ask if you can post pictures!

I don't have any pics, but I'll have to take some when i go see them, he's usually in his cage cause he likes the humidity obviously, but he comes out from time to time :P

[BarelyBreathing]

I'd love to see them. :D

[Skumbo]

I'd love to see them. :D

I dont have a facebook, but I can log onto my girlfriends and see if she has any pics of him :P

edit:

Little critter! (hes so huge now haha)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/Novocane/165716_10150373651975475_816320474_17205025_453114 0_n.jpg


out n about!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/Novocane/205839_10150735364365475_816320474_20330464_459002 9_n.jpg

[BarelyBreathing]

Ask her first! Lol.

[Skumbo]

Ask her first! Lol.

They're on facebook which means free game!

(lol)


edit: im kididng, I texted her lol, I just love giving people crap for posting stuff on facebook and expecting it to be "private" ;) Ima crop em to just critter anyway, since shes the kinda person who will go "nevermind!" in an hour when i cant edit the post :P

[BarelyBreathing]

He's beautiful!

[Skumbo]

He's beautiful!

I would love a tegu eventually, dont have the space atm :(

hes like a puppy when you get the leash out he just wants to put it on and walk around everywhere

[Rogue628]

Wow! He's beautiful! Can't wait until I move so I can get one! :D

[Strutter769]

What kind of tegu is he? I love the pattern down his head n neck! It looks very Aztec to me.

[SpOoKy]

Beautiful Tegu there.
i got to play around with one yesterday too.
This guy is is at REPTILLIA boarding for a year while the owner is in Australia.

[Skumbo]

black and white Argentine tegu, I do believe.