Buying a Colombian...

[m3s4]

Some of you might remember our adult Gold Tegu, Sam, was killed last year.

To make a long story short, we're in the market for a new Gold and the supplier I bought him from over 4 years ago isn't around anymore.

There's nothing here locally; no vendors and nothing on craigslist. Nothing at the local reptile rescue either.

Reptilecity.com has some cb babies, but I've read crazy reviews about them - some very good but most extremely bad. Anyone have anything to say about them?

I know a lot of people have golds around here, so with that said, are there any online merchants you would recommend?

Golds used to be pretty easy to acquire, now not so much so.

Thoughts/Ideas?

Thanks.

 

[got10]

Some of you might remember our adult Gold Tegu, Sam, was killed last year.

To make a long story short, we're in the market for a new Gold and the supplier I bought him from over 4 years ago isn't around anymore.

There's nothing here locally; no vendors and nothing on craigslist. Nothing at the local reptile rescue either.

Reptilecity.com has some cb babies, but I've read crazy reviews about them - some very good but most extremely bad. Anyone have anything to say about them?

I know a lot of people have golds around here, so with that said, are there any online merchants you would recommend?

Golds used to be pretty easy to acquire, now not so much so.

Thoughts/Ideas?

Thanks.

location would help tons. someone in the forum could be right around the corner looking to rehome one

---

Some of you might remember our adult Gold Tegu, Sam, was killed last year.

To make a long story short, we're in the market for a new Gold and the supplier I bought him from over 4 years ago isn't around anymore.

There's nothing here locally; no vendors and nothing on craigslist. Nothing at the local reptile rescue either.

Reptilecity.com has some cb babies, but I've read crazy reviews about them - some very good but most extremely bad. Anyone have anything to say about them?

I know a lot of people have golds around here, so with that said, are there any online merchants you would recommend?

Golds used to be pretty easy to acquire, now not so much so.

Thoughts/Ideas?

Thanks.

Put up your location as to help us help you find one

 

[grimz]

Listen i have done buisness with reptilecity and it was about a gold tegu and they are a bad place to buy from first of all when i placed my order they sent me a email saying it would take a week to get paper work done so i called and asked if it was really going take a week and they said yes so i said ok i waited a week and i got no email and no tracking number so i called and asked what the problem was they told me that the gold tegus had not arrived yet after them clearly stating they already had them on there website so i started to get mad because they lied to me well they said it should only take a couple more days and i waited three more days and finally i told just to give me back my money so then i had to wait another week just to get back my money. So i say again do not buy from them.

 

[chelvis]

LLL Reptile has some golds in for about $45. They have some good customer service and decent animals.

 

[m3s4]

Hey all, thanks for all the responses...

I'll try lll reptile - I've heard good things about them but I was unaware they had golds in-stock.

As for location, I'm in Colorado.

 

[chelvis]

It looks like they just got them in. I was browsing their site this morning and saw them and then read your post.

 

[m3s4]

It looks like they just got them in. I was browsing their site this morning and saw them and then read your post.

***Update***

Indeed they did have some. Thanks for the heads-up...Apparently the listing just went up this morning.

They had 4 left...I ordered 2.

So anyone looking for a gold colombian, you better act fast!

I'd definitely recommend LLLReptiles to anyone looking for reps...The lady I spoke with was super-friendly, answered all my questions, called me back promptly and was extremely professional and pleasant to deal with. Before shipping she said they would ship them together at no additional cost, throw 2 heat packs in and promptly send them out. A+++ all the way.

I've received my tracking info already and come tmrw morning, Karri and I will have 2 new black and gold baby tegus.

Thanks to those of you who were willing to help.

-tj

 

[Adambomb]

Hi I'm selling my columbian gold tegu Rita. I can't take keep her anymore my parents don't wanna take care of her when I leave to college. She isn't aggressive at all email me back if you want more info.

 

[Bubblz Calhoun]

I know some consider them to be the same but I don't. Were you looking for a Gold Tegu or a Colombian? LLL has Colombians not Golds, Colombians are readily available more often than Golds.

 

[m3s4]

I know some consider them to be the same but I don't. Were you looking for a Gold Tegu or a Colombian? LLL has Colombians not Golds, Colombians are readily available more often than Golds.

Thanks for the heads up but I know they are different. We've had a colombian gold, a colombian b&w and currently have an argetenian b&w.

According to their website they are gold tegus:

gold tegus

 

[chelvis]

It says they have golds on their website, so if you don't get what you were told its suppose to be I would mention it too them.

 

[laurarfl]

They are the same species, so people list them interchangeably all the time. That is the problem with common names vs scientific names. Some sellers can't tell the difference between a Colombian and Argentine, so you don't know what may come from a Colombian tegu purchase. It may be more black and white, it may be yellow and black. I would just call instead of placing an order on-line and ask for one with a lot of yellow coloration. A seller should also be able to email a photo of their stock.

 

[Bubblz Calhoun]

It says they have Golds but the pic is of a Colombian, that's why I asked.

 

[m3s4]

It says they have Golds but the pic is of a Colombian, that's why I asked.

The pic is accurate: it's a colombian gold and black tegu.

Please note that gold tegus are indeed colombian.

Also, colombian tegus have a sub-species that's black and white. While similar in appearance their markings are white rather then gold and they are found in different parts of South America then their counterparts.

A common problem I often see with sellers is they'll take a colombian black and white and sell it as, and pass it off as, an argentinian b&w.

There is no doubt I am getting (2) colombians. They are pictured as, and labeled as, golds. I hope they're golds, I was told they're golds but there is always a possibility they might be black and whites - if they were labeled wrong.

If that's the case I'm cool with it, I've had both types of colombians and they both make for awesome pets. In my experience the golds are more feisty, hiss more and are generally just more agitated and irritable.

That's what I look forward to taming out of them.

And just for the record, I didn't blindly order them online. I called them and confirmed that A) they had them in stock, B) they were golds C) they could be shipped together to save on shipping costs.

I have faith they're colombian golds. We'll see soon enough.

---

***Update***

They just arrived. They were packaged extremely well and are (2) very good looking gold tegus. I'm guessing about 5-6 months old.

A big thanks to LLLReptile.com and everyone here for your tegu support, guidance and help.

I'll post pics once they settle in, calm down and aren't so stressed.

 

[Bubblz Calhoun]

And that's one of the problems with Colombians and Golds. There is no B&W subspecies of Colombian tegus that I know of or in captivity. The only thing that's black and white about either of them are their tail rings in some cases. They're a completely different species than the B&W so why continue to call them B&W and add to the confusion.

When you say B&W people confuse them with T Merinae, which should be the only tegu that's called a B&W. If not Colombian or Golden then they should be called Colombian teguixin and or subspecies Gold teguixin but not B&W. The pic they have posted is what I consider to be a Colombian not a Golden.

This is just for clarification purposes it may not be a big deal to you which one you get but to help cut down on confusion,.. we really shouldn't call them B&W's.

 

[dragonmetalhead]

I remember reading about Sam's death. I am so happy you have decided to share your love with not one but two more tegus. I wish you and yours many years of happiness. Congratulations.

 

[m3s4]

I remember reading about Sam's death. I am so happy you have decided to share your love with not one but two more tegus. I wish you and yours many years of happiness. Congratulations.

Thanks bro, I'll keep you posted with info and pics as it all becomes available.

Ally our 4 year old arg. b&w is just coming out of hibernation so it's about to get crazy around here...you know: tons of eggs, turkey, gizzards...a few crickets...

good times...how's your collection?

 

[dragonmetalhead]

Everybody is good for the most part. Magica is being a little finicky with her feeding, but not enough to have me worried. Kodo got loose while driving home from the pet store yesterday and climbed partway into the dash; fortunately I was able to get him out after only a few minutes completely unscathed (although I practically died form the anxiety attack). Bernie is not looking do good; he appears to have dropped a lot of weight and his puffy look has been replaced by folks of loose skin. He can now close up his box properly, which he was not able to do before due to his other health issues. I am trying to convince my boss to let me take him to the vet (he's one of only two reptiles remaining at the children's museum where I work, along with Spike the plated lizard).