Hello!

[Tyler137]

Hi I am Tyler and I am from Connecticut. I have/had owned a decent amount of animals and a few reptiles, mostly snakes. I have really been thinking about getting a tegu recently. I have been doing lots of research on them and think i am close to ready to getting one.I plan on going to the White Plains, New York reptile expo on July 7th to see what they have for tegus. (Has anyone been there before?)

 

[Logie_Bear]

Welcome to the forum! Definitely post up any questions you may have. Tegu ownership is fantasticly rewarding but certainly requires a lot of research!

 

[Carnicero]

Welcome Tyler! Having a Tegu is a big commitment and a big step up from having any snake. Do you have the room for an adult tegu enclosure? Im also in the northeast and our winters are way to cold to make a year round outdoor enclosure possible. When you think you have done enough research....do more! I love my lil one but sometimes it can get hectic, you need to dedicate alot of time into taming that guy down. With all that said if you feel your ready having a tegu is an amazing experience.

I've gone to the last 5 expos in White Plains (it's 15 minutes away driving from my house.) They have alot of ball pythons (gonna b looking to pick up my first) and geckos and bearded dragons. Tegus have been hard to come by there from what ive seen. I saw two yearling argentine black and whites for sale the first time I went and that was it for them. They usually have a small number of red Tegus but ya gotta search for them. And the last time I went the only tegu i saw was a columbian gold on sale for 50 bucks. I would suggest going an hour earlier then what ever time they have listed as opening (i think its 10?) Because at that time the place is already PACKED

 

[Tyler137]

Welcome Tyler! Having a Tegu is a big commitment and a big step up from having any snake. Do you have the room for an adult tegu enclosure? Im also in the northeast and our winters are way to cold to make a year round outdoor enclosure possible. When you think you have done enough research....do more! I love my lil one but sometimes it can get hectic, you need to dedicate alot of time into taming that guy down. With all that said if you feel your ready having a tegu is an amazing experience.

I've gone to the last 5 expos in White Plains (it's 15 minutes away driving from my house.) They have alot of ball pythons (gonna b looking to pick up my first) and geckos and bearded dragons. Tegus have been hard to come by there from what ive seen. I saw two yearling argentine black and whites for sale the first time I went and that was it for them. They usually have a small number of red Tegus but ya gotta search for them. And the last time I went the only tegu i saw was a columbian gold on sale for 50 bucks. I would suggest going an hour earlier then what ever time they have listed as opening (i think its 10?) Because at that time the place is already PACKED

Thanks and yes I have room for a 8x4x4 enclosure for when he/she is bigger. And the tegu with definitely be getting a lot of attention to tame him. One question about yours because I have read mixed opinions on it, do you feed your tegu inside or outside it's enclosure? I have seen some people say it is best to feed outside so they don't become cage aggressive and associate your hand with food while others say it doesn't matter because they are smart enough to realize your hand isn't food.

Also to bad about the white plains expo.. Still plan on going to see if I can get any good deals on supplies and see how much Dubia roaches are there. If I'm lucky hopefully they will have some tegus.

 

[Carnicero]

I would definitly reccomend feeding outside the enclosure. If you can get it on a strict routine the tegu will never associate anything going in the cage as food, including hands. It will also help with the taming and getting your tegu used to being handled. Not to mention pretty much eliminate any chance of impaction from eating substrate. I know some members here have always fed in the cage with no incidents so maybe they can explain their views on it and you'll be able to figure out whats best for you.

You can def find supplies and dubias cheap at the expo i pick some up everytime i go.

 

[got10]

I agree with Carnicero 100% with feed outside tank . I currently own 9 tegus (had 10 til sandy killed off my blue). and I can tell you smart or not , a scrape from the teeth can and WILL open your hand up . If you search craigslist you can find an Argentine or two pretty cheap because the "cool " factor wore off.Just a word of advice the vendor directly to the far left and the vendor up on the second level They will have tegus, STEER CLEAR . They sell animals that will be dead in a month or two . They unload crap that is sick and or dying. They have a great selection of animals but they are not the best quality or healthy in the place.

 

[Carnicero]

I agree with Carnicero 100% with feed outside tank . I currently own 9 tegus (had 10 til sandy killed off my blue). and I can tell you smart or not , a scrape from the teeth can and WILL open your hand up . If you search craigslist you can find an Argentine or two pretty cheap because the "cool " factor wore off.Just a word of advice the vendor directly to the far left and the vendor up on the second level They will have tegus, STEER CLEAR . They sell animals that will be dead in a month or two . They unload crap that is sick and or dying. They have a great selection of animals but they are not the best quality or healthy in the place.

Dude i know exactly where you're talking about its sickening. The guy on the left had a case full of iguanas that looked like they were eating eachothers tails....he has sailfins, reds, few monitors and whole bunch of other stuff they all looked in HORRIBLE shape. Its a shame they give whoever that is a stand?

 

[Logie_Bear]

For my own experience, my baby gu would not EVER eat outside of her enclosure. At least not for about the first 3 months I had her. So, despite the suggestions of many, I did feed her inside the enclosure. In those first formative months, I never had a problem with taming her and she has never been cage/food aggressive because of it.

 

[Skeetzy]

I second Logie's statement. I fed mine in the enclosure, with both tongs and plates of food, for a good 3 months before allowed my tegu to climb out of the cage to eat. He's not sit in my lap tame, but doesn't mind my company, and allows me to pet him. Even during feeding time. Only bit me once when I forgot to wash my hands when they smelled like his food. Barely grazed me though. Besides that, never aggressive towards me.

 

[Tyler137]

I agree with Carnicero 100% with feed outside tank . I currently own 9 tegus (had 10 til sandy killed off my blue). and I can tell you smart or not , a scrape from the teeth can and WILL open your hand up . If you search craigslist you can find an Argentine or two pretty cheap because the "cool " factor wore off.Just a word of advice the vendor directly to the far left and the vendor up on the second level They will have tegus, STEER CLEAR . They sell animals that will be dead in a month or two . They unload crap that is sick and or dying. They have a great selection of animals but they are not the best quality or healthy in the place.

That is so terrible! I will definitely make sure to look at any tegus health condition before I consider buying and avoid those two venders you mentioned. It is ridiculous that they are even allowed to sell reptiles there if they are in that condition.

 

[Tyler137]

Also I'm not sure where to post this but if someone could tell me that would be great. I was wondering if anyone has boughten tegus from underground reptiles. I have seen both positives and negatives about them, but haven't heard much from people who have boughten tegus from them before.