Suspected Costs?

[Kamau Le Boidae]

Money isn't really a concern for me, but before I get my tegu baby (or adult, I'm still undecided on that aspect), I'd like to get an estimate from some people who own these curious little guys. If any one can give me an initial startup cost and then a monthly one, it would be greatly appreciated

 

[Rebecca Stout]

As far as getting started, this will help you a lot. Exact prices on each item are not there, but you will get the idea. The first portion of the article shows what is involved with the enclosure. Down the page you will find a list of what you need to keep a tegu once you are set up.
http://wolfystegu.weebly.com/blog/how-much-money
The costs for an enclosure vary widely for 2 reasons. One is some people do the absolute min basic enclosure and some go more elaborate. Two is your location (and that is a very big part of it). Some areas have cheap wood, you can find overstock in windows or glass (for doors) and so on. Many people aren't like me. They do have scrap things, and they do have nails and tools etc already. I didn't.

Adults are far less costly than youngsters. 6 months-18 months, mine ate almost every day. Adults eat 3-4x a week though.

Now that I'm set up with a permanent enclosure this is what it's costing me to have a 2 year old tegu:
-Bottle of calcium off Amazon $13 for a huge five pound bag. I only used a small jar for an entire year BUT, come to find I was not giving near enough.
-UVB bulb. 1x a year ... depends on how long of a tube bulb and what kind you get. Light Your Reptiles online has the most choice, great prices, and best bulbs available. Same with lighting fixtures unless you plan to go by way of Home Depot
- Pure Cypress mulch. $4-5 a huge bag. I use 4 at a time for an 8x3' enclosure. I have only had to replace my bedding 2x in a year and I am extremely picky/clean. (I turn it every few days, so it never molds, and spot clean the poops).
- Heat bulbs (flood lights), I've only had to replace one in the last year. $15 dollars for one, or like $2x for two. So whatever the cost is at home depot or Amazon
- Food:
Whole prey - frozen mice $35 dollars for 25 mice at FeederSource. I give 3 big mice once every third feeding (1x a week). So do the math for monthly cost there.
Meats/organs/fruits/etc mix - (fish, fruits, chicken, ground turkey, chicken hearts, livers, gizzards, and the like). I mix a massive mix in a huge spagetti pot. And then I bag up portions in baggies (portions are smaller than a baseball), and put those in a huge gallon bag and put it in the freezer. i thaw a portion at a time to feed her. She gets 2-3 of these a week. One bath gets me a couple months or more! So broken down, the meat mixture isn't much.

Bottom line:
I was shocked to find out what the starting cost of everything was in getting a tegu. I was nicely surprised to find out how cheap it was for an established adult!!

Advice?
Prepare for the worst so that when it is less it's like Christmas.