Golden Tegu

beanersmysav · 02-08-05, 02:18 PM

My local pet store that's acctually good unlike the other ones I have to choose from that houses the animals correctly and feeds them and cleans them properly has a baby golden tegu that they say is Captive Bred from Platsburg NY. I have a feeling I know who they got it from, but was wondering if most Tegus are WC or CB? I mean this one looks like a gem beautiful coloration insanely active but not to easy to hold. I went to pick him up and he leaped probably 3 1/2, 4 ft in the air. I couldn't believe the power these little guys had! I probably wont be able to get it because of the size cage they need (they have it in a 5x3x3 but if I come across a few extra dollars after I bring my BP to the Vet for a check up I was thinking of building my monitor a new cage and putting the tegu in his old cage if it's still there.

But I'd rather work with a CB specimen but I thought I remember seeing that most of them for sale are WC.

Slipknot · 02-08-05, 02:26 PM

Can't you just ask them if it is CB or not?

Oh and there is no such thing as a Gold Tegu, just gold colored Colombians.

beanersmysav · 02-08-05, 03:02 PM

They say it is CB but I don't trust the word of pet stores even those I trust for most things. It's just not something I do if they can't offer paper work or pics of the parents, and yes I know they are gold colored colombians I just call em goldens usually. I was just wondering what the probability is of a pet store getting a CB

V.hb · 02-08-05, 03:09 PM

Golden tegus are extremely aggressive animals, I would steer clear of one if you're not accustomed to aggressive lizards. If the animal is passive chances are it's cold. If you want a tegu, stick with black and whites, or reds much better suited for a pet lizard.

BTW, refering to them as goldens is pretty standard as thats how they're normally identified to my knowledge.

V.hb · 02-08-05, 03:10 PM

Also, you would have an easier time finding CB reds and BW's. Good luck!

Gary D. · 02-08-05, 07:41 PM

Golden Tegu is an old common name dating back to old taxonomic classification. It now refers to Tupinambis teguixin (formerly Tupinambis nigropunctatus).

V.hb is correct in that they are ill tempered animals and will rarely calm down. B&W are a far better choice for a pet, but they too can be defensive especially as juviniles.

As for WC or CB, I will gurantee every tegu for sale in a pet store (Black, gold, red,B&W, red argentine, whatever) are WC. There are relatively few breeders, all of which are in Florida or Texas. The demand is enough for CB animals that there is not enough supply, thus breeders do not need to wholesale them to petstores. The name breeders such as Ron St. Pierre, actually have a waiting list. Combined with the fact that petstores can acquire WC animals for as little as $25 USD, most would never spend the $125 (wholesale) or more for CB stock, if they could get them.

Hope that helps.

GD

beanersmysav · 02-08-05, 08:29 PM

So it's probably WC since it's only $45.00 big surprise :-/

I don't mind an ill tempered lizard. I mean not that I'm used to monsters but I had to tame my Savannah down, and my Tokay gecko of course isn't the apitimy of kindness but I don't handle him. Not afraid of being bit as I'm sure nothing he could do would compare to the bite I received from a Rotti and that didn't bother me all that much haha and it can't even come close to touching an anxiety attack :-p. If you look at my list I've got more than enough pet lizards I just like the color and design of these beauties but I think I'll wait a year or so when I have Beaner a newly built cage and spring for a CB from a breeder like I do with 99% of my other reptiles.

Thanks for the clarification though guys I was almost 100% they were b/s'ing me.

Gary D. · 02-08-05, 08:59 PM

I had a golden for a number of years. He eventually calmed down enough to relax once out of his enclosure, just getting him out was a fight. Not a great starter animal, but you've got enough experience it shouldn't be any trouble. I enjoyed having him emmensely, but nothing compared to the friendly lummox B&W sitting here at my feet right now.

GD

V.hb · 02-08-05, 09:10 PM

haha Gary, I've been there also.

What i'll add is, these guys have a real set of teeth. They're extremely powerful also once full grown, even half grown they possess alot of power.

I'd definatly go for the BW or red.

beanersmysav · 02-08-05, 09:48 PM

Yeah the one at the pet store opened its mouth at me when my hand entered it's the first thing I noted was the teeth. It's small enough where I'm not worried about those teeth yet, but as you all know picking them up at one time or another is a must. In this hobby you do what you've got to do other wise things wont get done

...I think that makes sense

Maybe I'll look into Red tegus but then again maybe I'll just go with another type of monitor. If the government didnt illegalize my top 3 choices other than a Sav I'd have an easier time doing so. Well the tree monitor is my top choice but I don't have the money for them at the moment. Maybe ackies will be a possibility they are somewhere on my top 5

. Ahh who knows, only time will tell.

Manitoban Herps · 02-08-05, 09:48 PM

We had a golden tegu, my bro bought it for 100$ and never cared of it properly, and after he finnaly gave it to me, and would let me help it out it died. He never gave it the right amounts of humidity so it lose all of it's toes and parts of its leg, very, very sad.

It was a very friendly lizard though, I would go with a bw or red tegu though

beanersmysav · 02-08-05, 09:55 PM

Probably so friendly because it was sick :P. Anyone know of any US breeders I could take a look at to see what my options are as far as Tegu prices and availability? The 100-200 range isn't bad since I figure it'll be another 150.00 for cage and heating + extra expenses such as substrate, decorations and what not.

Tim and Julie B · 02-08-05, 10:05 PM

I had one..my brother in law has it now. I still have a Columbian. Mean and aggressive and highly entertaining wouldn't trade it for anything.

Oh it's amazing what it can eat for it's size. I would recommend one if you don't want something to handle.

Manitoban Herps · 02-08-05, 10:26 PM

Actually it was friednly ever since we got it, and it was very healthy when we got her.

dtocher · 02-09-05, 11:37 PM

As far as I know, one of the biggest Argentine B&W breeders (and the guy I got mine from) is located in Alabama. If you want quality service and shipping of an Argentine, lemmy know and I'll send you his info.

Just not sure the forum rules on talking about people outside the board made just for that.