Need help and info about tegus

[Dbristol]

I have never owned a tegu but have experience with other large reptiles and I was wondering what do they need for their enclosure ( a list would be great) and were can I get them for a good price also what would be the easiest to tame and best to own for a beginner with tegus help would be greatly appreciated thank you

 

[SamBobCat]

For ease of tameness I would suggest an Argentine black and white. There are Columbian black and whites, but those are typically mean/ hard to tame. Argentines are the way to go. A minimum size enclosure for an adult Argentine tegu is 8×4×3 (the three being the height). You need a uvb bulb, unless you are located somewhere that has hot temps all the time. Go on the internet to find a good care sheet (or find one on here lol) and that will explain the care better.

 

[Dbristol]

Thank you I'll check for a care sheet what is the size of your cage

 

[SamBobCat]

My little baby is in a big storage container but he is getting restless even though he's still small. I am almost done building his 4×4×2 and when he grows out of that he will have him own 8×4×2 with a heavy lid.

 

[Dbristol]

What do you think it would cost to build an 8x4x2 cage?

 

[SamBobCat]

It barely cost me anything but that's because I got the wood for free from a friend. I'm using these huge 4×4 crates that I'm going to bolt together. I had to order glass but that was really cheap

 

[Dbristol]

Ok I'm going to build a giant cage in my room

 

[SamBobCat]

That's what I'm doing lol

 

[Dbristol]

Lol is the only light u need UVB or is there more you need

 

[SamBobCat]

My mattress is going to go on top of the two crates and it will lift up with hinges and gas shocks

 

[Dbristol]

You'll be sleeping on your lizards?!?!

 

[SamBobCat]

No you need a strong bulb to get a basking spot of 110-115°F and I use a ceramic heat emitter

 

[SamBobCat]

Hahaha sort of! But he won't know I'm up there. The crates are really sturdy

 

[Dbristol]

In going to have to make a list of stuff I need I love tegus even tho I've never had one there just so cool looking and I'd imagine it's like having a puipy also that's amazing

 

[SamBobCat]

Haha it's awesome!! I love my little boy

 

[Dbristol]

I want a girl one so I can name it muffin also do you think it might attack my cat

 

[SamBobCat]

That's cute!! I wouldn't think so but when it gets fully grown, I wouldn't let them roam around together without supervision

 

[Dbristol]

Ok and believe me they will always be supervised I don't think I'd like a lizard just walking in the house alone only god knows what it'll do lol

 

[Dbristol]

Thank you for your help

 

[SamBobCat]

My pleasure! It's great to have more tegu fans out there