General questions

[Cuddlesthemighty]

So this is my first post here and I want to be clear here I am only considering the possibility of a tegu. Even if I were I was to get one, I wouldn't be getting one now next week or probably even in the next six months these are if nothing else general interest questions to decide if one would be a good fit for me.
1)I am currently a snake owner one ball one retic. I started with standard substrate but transitioned to paper substrate and it has worked very well for me (easier to clean and tell when is soiled). For humidity I have a timer hooked to humidifiers. It works well for me. But everything I read says to go with some sort loose substrate, as they like to dig. My first question is: Assuming I get the humidity requirements right will paper work for tegus or is loose substrate a must?
2) Most people I have read opt to feed their tegu every day I think a few stated every couple of days worked for them. Is everyday feeding enough or given a proper diet every other day maybe more appropriate.
3) I understand that their temperaments will vary based on the individual but i read overall the most docile tegu tended to be the reds. Given equal care would the reds on average be more docile?
4)Concerning UVB lighting, I have no problems placing a light but panel overhead heat is so easy. What is the general consensus on the necessity of this?

I do not want to come across as lazy or not having done my research but I really like to crowd source and the more information and view points I have the better decisions I can make.

 

[Zack Wilke]

Well I'm glad to hear that you're considering a tegu. As for your questions, to answer the first question, 1) Tegus actually spend a majority of their time underground, so the loose substrate is a must. Bark-like substrates or coconut husk is acceptable.
2) While some tegus will eat every day, I have found that through my experiences that most tegus will eat when they want. For example, my Argentine Black and White tegu, Zynithar, will not always eat every day, or even every other day. He will burrow himself for weeks on end in some occasions, but will only eat when he wants.
3) I am quite unfamiliar with reds to be honest, but the Argentine Black and Whites that I've had are actually quite docile, and even shy.
4) UVB is an absolute necessity. It mimics sunlight so that your tegu can absorb some vitamins that is otherwise unavailable to them. As for heat bulbs, I use a 100 watt heat bulb. It keeps his basking area bordering 100 degrees. You can also put a heating pad under his cage to help keep him warm when he burrows.
Hope this helps!

 

[loweryrr]

Let me give you my experience and how tegus differ from snakes care wise. Tegus need either a huge cage or a lot of time out of their cage. They can be kept with paper substrate but will need a lot of humidity and frequent soakings. It is far easier to just keep cypress mulch in the cage. They have a huge appetite. Sometimes they will eat daily and sometimes they will eat every couple of days. Mine probably eats 5 days a week during the summer and 2 days a week during the winter. My tegu doesnt like to be held unless shes sleepy. If she has energy shes roaming the house scratching stuff to see how it sounds. They like to hide a lot so some form of hide in the cage and out of the cage is necessary. Cypress mulch in the cage works great and a sofa or cabinet they can squeeze under will do. Its best to have something other than mesh on the front of the cage because when they want out they will grind their face on it sometimes rubbing the skin off. They need a lot of attention or they get antsy and hurt themselves. They poop a lot. If they eat daily they usually poop daily. They are a lot more work than snakes but they are worth it. Their diet requires more work than going to the store and buying. They need a varied diet so sometimes whole food and sometimes mixes of turkey veggies and fruit. They need a hot spot around a 100 and uv light. Snakes are low maintenance, tegus are the opposite. Both are really rewarding

 

[Walter1]

What Zack and Loweryrr are saying really sums it up. In some ways tegus are the snake opposite, like bizarro jerry on the seinfeld episode.