New to the Tegu

[sweat044]

So I am looking at getting my first monitor. I was wondering what would be a good one to start with? Also do all of them get huge? I have had every lizard known to man but they just weren't mean enough for me! Please any help would be great.

 

[james.w]

What lizard experience do you have? Are you looking for a monitor or tegu? What size enclosure do you have room for? How old are you?

 

[Strange_Evil]

Tegu's are not monitors. Not all get big some actually stay under 3ft while others can get we'll over 5ft.

I really do not consider any monitor a best first monitor. But if I had to choose, I would say go with something like a ackie monitor to begin with. They stay on the smaller size, make sure you also do tons of research, anyone looking to get a montior and done research knows what they want, try not to read one or two care sheets and consider your self prepared.

Good luck!

 

[Bubblz Calhoun]

This is just wrong,.. over exaggerate a bit much? You haven't had "every lizard known to man". If you did you would know the answer to the questions you're asking and then some.

Why would you want a Large, Mean lizard? What happens when you get one,.. just to find out you've bitten off more than you can chew? The last thing the Reptile Industry needs is more bad press.

This is a huge RED Flag for me,.. you didn't say much but at the same time you said a lot. So do yourself, animals and the rest of us a favor Research and get some Hands on experience. Before you get Anything,.. and I'm not just talking about reading books or on the internet.

Try and find someone close to you that has one or some, that will let you work with them. So that you can see how they are up close a personal. Join a Herp Society, volunteer for a rescue or something.

Because these Large and Mean Lizards that you're looking for are not something to dabble in or play with. They require more work than most people realize.

 

[sweat044]

What lizard experience do you have? Are you looking for a monitor or tegu? What size enclosure do you have room for? How old are you?

I am 32 I don't know why age matters? But anyways I have bearded dragons, lepard Geckos, Blue Tongue skink. I have been doing resarch for a long time. I am just uncertain of what I should get. I have a 5ft enclosure that has lighting on one side and food and water on the other. I used if for my skink but he passed away after 15 years. I am looking at either. Whichever I guess doesnt get huge!

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This is just wrong,.. over exaggerate a bit much? You haven't had "every lizard known to man". If you did you would know the answer to the questions you're asking and then some.

Why would you want a Large, Mean lizard? What happens when you get one,.. just to find out you've bitten off more than you can chew? The last thing the Reptile Industry needs is more bad press.

This is a huge RED Flag for me,.. you didn't say much but at the same time you said a lot. So do yourself, animals and the rest of us a favor Research and get some Hands on experience. Before you get Anything,.. and I'm not just talking about reading books or on the internet.

Try and find someone close to you that has one or some, that will let you work with them. So that you can see how they are up close a personal. Join a Herp Society, volunteer for a rescue or something.

Because these Large and Mean Lizards that you're looking for are not something to dabble in or play with. They require more work than most people realize.

Ok so my post was a bit ridiculous after reading it. In Mean I meant something that eats more than just crickets and pinkie mice, I didn't mean in tempermant. Sorry about the confusion. In every lizard known to man, I meant the common ones. I didn't mean to make people upseat. The reason I want one is because a close friend has monitors, tegus, snakes and I really like his monitor but way too big, I like his tegu but again too big. Trying to get some advice from the experts.

 

[Neeko]

I think theres a smaller tegu stay in the 3-3.5 range not sure on name saw it on http://www.siscoreptiles.com/available.php the blue. not sure of there reputation, ive sent them an email and its been a week and no reply. Dont want you dealing with bad people only good so approach always with caution. Is your friend who has all the monitors and tegus close to you? ask to take care of them for him for a week and learn what to do, his tips and tricks and knowledge are probably the best you can attain anything else the tegutalk community is here for you.

 

[james.w]

Age matters because if you were 15 I would recommend something different than someone your age. Younger people have to think about what their near future plans are, college, moving out of moms house, job, etc.

When you say huge, what is huge to you?

What exactly are you looking for in a lizard? Do you want to be able to handle it?

 

[sweat044]

I think theres a smaller tegu stay in the 3-3.5 range not sure on name saw it on http://www.siscoreptiles.com/available.php the blue. not sure of there reputation, ive sent them an email and its been a week and no reply. Dont want you dealing with bad people only good so approach always with caution. Is your friend who has all the monitors and tegus close to you? ask to take care of them for him for a week and learn what to do, his tips and tricks and knowledge are probably the best you can attain anything else the tegutalk community is here for you.

Yes we are close and that is how I fell in love with his. He had me watch them for a week. His is so calm it roams the house during the day and at night he goes into his "house". I tried getting him to give me his but its like his child. He mentioned this board because he only knows of the large ones and he wanted me to reach out to more people. He has a lot of experience with them and will vouch for me. I came across wrong and for that I appologize.

 

[Neeko]

i dont think really any tegu stays under 3.5ft. Not 100% sure on that. I hope you find the pet that your looking for though.

 

[Bubblz Calhoun]

I'm not trying to be mean,.. it's just that too many people get into large lizards for the wrong reasons,. a couple of which you stated.

On the tegu scale Colombians, Goldens and Blues are commonly the smallest but there are some 4ft plus Blues out there. Colombians and Goldens have a bad rep for handling and getting them to calm down but they do come around. It just takes more time and they may or may not be as calm or easy to handle as larger tegus.

When you're lower on the food chain it sometimes helps to have a bit more attitude.

 

[sweat044]

I'm not trying to be mean,.. it's just that too many people get into large lizards for the wrong reasons,. a couple of which you stated.

On the tegu scale Colombians, Goldens and Blues are commonly the smallest but there are some 4ft plus Blues out there. Colombians and Goldens have a bad rep for handling and getting them to calm down but they do come around. It just takes more time and they may or may not be as calm or easy to handle as larger tegus.

When you're lower on the food chain it sometimes helps to have a bit more attitude.

I understand completely where you are coming from. Maybe I will get another skink until I find the right fit for me as far as tegus go. When I am looking for a tegu what is a good place? I am limited I live in Colorado and not many choices. Any reccomendations?

 

[Bubblz Calhoun]

What part of Colorado? If you don't mind shipping a lot of places and breeders ship.

 

[sweat044]

What part of Colorado? If you don't mind shipping a lot of places and breeders ship.

I am in Colorado Springs.

 

[Bubblz Calhoun]

Not many places there,.. unless something has popped up since '07. I got my first Colombian from Scales n Tales up on N Academy and my monitor from Valley Pets just off post. Both little, cluttered mom and pop places but unfortunately they're the best that area has to offer.

Especially since I couldn't have them shipped to me.

 

[hoosier]

TEGU. Shouldnt even be a discussion. with your experience level i would say red, blue or black and white tegu would be a good choice. columbians are a bit flighty and more prone to agressive out bursts. its easier to get an argentine tegu to allow you to handle it.
Bubblz you are my favorite person today! your first post made my day!
and james is right, we have been, shall i say, trying to express our feelings to a younger member who still got a notoriously agressive species of minitor. age plays a big part in maturity IMO and a monitor itself is quite time consuming, money consuming and attentiion to detail is a must. i consider you a beginning large lizard keeper and would not recommend one for you. they are very hands off lizards(and some are bite your hands off) where as a tegu will be very willing to be handled and social. you cant go wrong with a tegu. bigger housing will be needed when it gets full grown however.

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what monitor species does you close friend have? this will give us an idea of the size lizard you consider too big

 

[Neeko]

Maybe just find a nice docile bw arg tegu to be home with. Already tamed, buy a big enclosure, then you don't have to worry about the taming process and the learning exp that comes with it? I know size is an issue but it might help if that isn't so much of a constraint.

 

[jdpFL]

Yep, I'd definitely agree with the posts that are trying to get the point across of the amount of time and effort that goes into the care of almost any large reptile. Unlike a snake that can eat once a week or so and doesn't require constant interaction...a large lizard must have DAILY care. The two we have, a little savannah hatchling and an Argentine B&W take at least an hour a day to care for. It is a serious commitment and shouldn't be taken lightly as it would be unfair to these amazing and beautiful animals. That being said, if you have the time and resources, and do your homework....they can be an absolute joy to have. I like this forum because of the fact that there are a lot of honest folks who won't hesitate to let you know if you might be getting in over your head. They are speaking from experience, and there certainly appear to be a lot of knowledgeable reptile owners here. Good luck with your decision...only you can know what kind of pet would be most suited to your lifestyle.