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I was surprised when I convinced my ultra conservative parents to let me have one.

My issue was that my parents hated reptiles, despite not being afraid of them, because they thought anything cold-blooded was a "useless" pet because it wouldn't love you the same way a cat or dog would.

If your parents feel the same way, maybe it would help to show them how prepared you really are- the last thing they want is for you to fall into a "fad" and then become bored- that means they'd be the ones stuck taking care of a giant lizard.

So, I'm assuming you have a job so you can afford your tegu's appetite lol. Maybe start buying the little necessities- a starter tank (if you're buying a hatchling), the lights, the fixtures. Perhaps even start a savings account and actively move money into it.

Make sure you're staying on top of other priorities, too. For example, my parents saw me spend $500+ on supplies, which I honestly thought I'd be keeping in storage til I moved out. Yet, I kept my grades up and did all my usual chores. Next thing I know, they're telling me I can get one as long as I'm the sole person taking care of it, as long as I stay on top of my college work, and as long as I clean my bedroom and basement, haha.

Really, though. The hardest part is proving to them that you're serious about this commitment. I think it helped when my mother said to me, "You realize those things can live for 15 years, right?" and I replied, "That's why I like them so much, I love the fact that my future kids will be playing with my tegu when he's in his elder years!" Obviously, I'm thinking ahead, and for me their lifespan is a plus.

If all that fails, then start saving up money to move out.
But remember, there is SOME truth in the "parents know best" saying. I begged for a Savannah monitor for years and was never allowed to get one- now I'm thankful my parents said no- it gives me a chance to realize a tegu is a far better match for me in my current state.

<blockquote data-quote="sunflowercake" data-source="post: 112163" data-attributes="member: 3355">I was surprised when I convinced my ultra conservative parents to let me have one. My issue was that my parents hated reptiles, despite not being afraid of them, because they thought anything cold-blooded was a &quot;useless&quot; pet because it wouldn't love you the same way a cat or dog would.If your parents feel the same way, maybe it would help to show them how prepared you really are- the last thing they want is for you to fall into a &quot;fad&quot; and then become bored- that means they'd be the ones stuck taking care of a giant lizard.So, I'm assuming you have a job so you can afford your tegu's appetite lol. Maybe start buying the little necessities- a starter tank (if you're buying a hatchling), the lights, the fixtures. Perhaps even start a savings account and actively move money into it.Make sure you're staying on top of other priorities, too. For example, my parents saw me spend $500+ on supplies, which I honestly thought I'd be keeping in storage til I moved out. Yet, I kept my grades up and did all my usual chores. Next thing I know, they're telling me I can get one as long as I'm the sole person taking care of it, as long as I stay on top of my college work, and as long as I clean my bedroom and basement, haha.Really, though. The hardest part is proving to them that you're serious about this commitment. I think it helped when my mother said to me, &quot;You realize those things can live for 15 years, right?&quot; and I replied, &quot;That's why I like them so much, I love the fact that my future kids will be playing with my tegu when he's in his elder years!&quot; Obviously, I'm thinking ahead, and for me their lifespan is a plus.If all that fails, then start saving up money to move out. But remember, there is SOME truth in the &quot;parents know best&quot; saying. I begged for a Savannah monitor for years and was never allowed to get one- now I'm thankful my parents said no- it gives me a chance to realize a tegu is a far better match for me in my current state.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="sunflowercake, post: 112163, member: 3355"] I was surprised when I convinced my ultra conservative parents to let me have one. My issue was that my parents hated reptiles, despite not being afraid of them, because they thought anything cold-blooded was a "useless" pet because it wouldn't love you the same way a cat or dog would. If your parents feel the same way, maybe it would help to show them how prepared you really are- the last thing they want is for you to fall into a "fad" and then become bored- that means they'd be the ones stuck taking care of a giant lizard. So, I'm assuming you have a job so you can afford your tegu's appetite lol. Maybe start buying the little necessities- a starter tank (if you're buying a hatchling), the lights, the fixtures. Perhaps even start a savings account and actively move money into it. Make sure you're staying on top of other priorities, too. For example, my parents saw me spend $500+ on supplies, which I honestly thought I'd be keeping in storage til I moved out. Yet, I kept my grades up and did all my usual chores. Next thing I know, they're telling me I can get one as long as I'm the sole person taking care of it, as long as I stay on top of my college work, and as long as I clean my bedroom and basement, haha. Really, though. The hardest part is proving to them that you're serious about this commitment. I think it helped when my mother said to me, "You realize those things can live for 15 years, right?" and I replied, "That's why I like them so much, I love the fact that my future kids will be playing with my tegu when he's in his elder years!" Obviously, I'm thinking ahead, and for me their lifespan is a plus. If all that fails, then start saving up money to move out. But remember, there is SOME truth in the "parents know best" saying. I begged for a Savannah monitor for years and was never allowed to get one- now I'm thankful my parents said no- it gives me a chance to realize a tegu is a far better match for me in my current state. [/QUOTE]

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