Red Tegu?...............?

Question

I am consdering getting a red tegu, does anyone have any info for me like precautions or anyone that has had experience with tegus. Any care info or websites are also greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I don't have experience with the red tegu, but I've had previous experiences with the Gold and Black, and the Black and White tegus (as well as the Burundi Nile Monitor). As with any large lizards (mine were in excess of 32 inches) daily (and cautious) handling is key; mine were never "dog-tame" but they were tame enough to receive proper husbandry. If you're looking at tegus (especially a red) I'm sure you know about basic and moderate care.

What size enclosure will you use? I housed mine individually in 4x6x3 foot enclosures with topsoil with big slate-stones to hide under. I also used a heavy porcelain dish for water, with an occasional soak in a cattle water basin. Ambient heating is best--hot rocks are a no-no. The ambient temp was around 90, with a temp grade of 85-95, from one side of the enclosure to the other. I actually put the heating lamp above his cover rock, which he would then crawl out from under, and then sit on top of to warm up. If it got too warm, he went to the opposite side of the enclosure, where the water container was.

Fake plants (plastic ivy or other broad-leaved variety) are OK when they are still small (under 24 inches), but beyond that, they merely yank out/destroy the plants or just sit on top of them, not using them to 'hide' anymore. Personally, I don't think they're worth the hassle as they grow bigger. Besides, that's just one more thing to clean. For big lizards--a simple terrarium is best. Unless you own a zoo, don't try to 'authentically duplicate' their natural habitat. It will only frustrate you, and may inadvertently lead to substandard husbandry.

Food. Because these beasts won't be as active as they are in the wild (and please tell me yours is a captive bred?!), go easy. When they're small, they are primarily insectivores (crickets, grasshoppers...no mealworms); as they grow in captivity, a switch in diet is necessary (though in the south american jungle, 5-inch grasshoppers and other large insects still form a large bulk of their diet). Like most, I transitioned to pinky-fuzzy-furry-hopper-adult mice (all pre-killed). Because I used to have a duck farm (seriously!!!) I would also give whole uncooked eggs and chicks (but not often--chicks are actually nutrient poor relative to adult mice; chicks have simple diets, adult mice have more complex diets). I fed the crickets monkey chow, and then always dusted them with calcium; every 3 feedings, I would switch to a vitamin powder. On Mardi Gras, I would give one (declawed) live crawdad. Just for variety!!!

Sunlight. Once a week, try to expose them to 10-15 minutes of unfiltered, outdoor sunlight (to stimulate Vit. D synthesis, for bone health). The reptile day light can be expensive, and must be kept at close proximity to the lizard. Again--personally, not worth it. They got their sunlight when they soaked in the cattle basin. Seemed to work well enough.

Long response. But hopefully it'll get you off to a start. If you want a 'fun' book, look for the book 'Giant Lizards' by Robert Sprackland. It has great photos and good info about large lizards, specifically Tegus, Monitors, and the larger iguanids. Email if you need more info. (BTW, my primary focus is on geckos, specifically the Phelsuma standingii day geckos).

Answer 2

Make sure you have a big tank. Tegu's get about 3ft and if you want it to be tame hold it every day.They can get very mean.
Tegu's are eating machines I recommend frozen mice it cuts back on the gore.
A large water dish & hiding place are good.If cared for tegu's are cool pets.If you get bit try to por water on it's head a tegu will NOT let go & a large one HURTS BAD! So be careful and enjoy