Argentine Tegus are very friendly and intelligent, they are able to recognize their owners and make a connection with them. This is only true for lizards who have been handled since they were hatchlings.[1]
Why Do Tegus Make Good Pets?
Tegus are incredibly intelligent and curious lizards that can be tamed and trained with regular handling and interaction. Argentine tegus are known to have ‘dog-like’ qualities in that they are very loyal and seek companionship. Always be gentle, calm and talk softly so you do not accidentally frighten your pet.[2]
Can Tegus Bond With Humans?
Tegus are known as very intelligent animals. When kept in captivity, they are able to recognize their owners and form a close bond with them. Tegu requires human love and affection.[3]
Is Tegucigalpa Worth Visiting?
As a modern capital, Tegucigalpa offers a selection of good restaurants, banks, shopping centers, in addition to a couple of museums and colonial churches that are worth a visit. The cathedral and the church Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de los Dolores are located in the historic center. Both buildings are worth visiting.[4]
Where To Find Tegus
The Argentine black and white tegu is native to South America where it can be found in Brazil, Paraguay, eastern Uruguay and northern Argentina.[5]
Where Are Tegus Found?
Tegus at a Glance
The Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae), largest of all tegu species, is native to Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. Black to dark gray with white speckled bands across the back and tail, these reptiles can weigh 10 pounds or more and live 20 years.[6]
Where Are Tegu Lizards Now?
According to the Smithsonian, these are the states where the tegu lizards have been spotted: Florida. Georgia. South Carolina.[7]
Where Can I Find A Tegu In Florida?
Tegus have been reported in 35 Florida counties, including nearly every part of the greater Tampa Bay region. A new factsheet shows their presence is now established in several North Florida counties and as far north as Georgia.Dec 8, 2021[8]
How Much Does A Tegus Cost?
Tegus pricing
Tegus prices subscriptions based on fund AuM, starting at $20-25,000 per user and year. If both the client and the expert agree to have your calls published to all Tegus customers, you can pay on average $375/call (on top of the $25,000 ‘starter fee’).[9]
What Can Be Done To Help Tegus
The humidity should be between 75%-90% for a Tegu enclosure. A Tegu’s hide with damp moss or substrate helps maintain humidity levels. Tegus love to soak and they require a tip-proof water bowl big enough to soak in with easy entry and exit access. Misting also helps keep humidity at optimum levels to aid in shedding.[10]
What Is Being Done To Stop Tegus?
Never release exotic animals such as tegus. Surrender unwanted pet tegus to the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program. Report observations of tegus to FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline (888-Ive-Got1).[11]
Are There Any Laws That Exist To Help Stop The Spread Of Tegu?
Note that as a non-native species, tegus in the wild in Georgia are not protected by state wildlife laws or regulations. They can be legally trapped or killed year-round on private property with landowner permission. However, animal cruelty and local ordinances apply, as do appropriate safety precautions.[12]
How Do You Make A Tegu Friendly?
They should be eating vegetation and fruit too. Left-over food should be removed after every meal. Your Tegu’s tank should always have a dish of fresh and clean water. In addition to having a water dish, you may also want to provide a larger water container so your Tegu can soak in it.[13]
How Hard Is It To Take Care Of A Tegu?
Tegus are big, mellow, affectionate, easy to care for, and with a good diet can live about 20 years.[14]
What Tegus Need For Light Heat
Both Argentine and Colombian tegus require 12-14 hours of daily exposure UVB for their health. In captivity, this should be supplemented by opportunities to bask in “real” sunlight as often as weather permits. The best way to provide UVB for your tegu is by using a fluorescent UVB bulb designed for high output.[15]
Does A Tegu Need A Heat Lamp?
You will need enough lamps to evenly heat an area at least the size of the tegu’s body. Do not use ceramic heat emitters (CHEs), heat mats, red bulbs, or blue bulbs, as these are not as effective. Heating should be turned off at night.[16]
What Heat Does A Tegu Need?
Ambient temperatures withing the cage should be between 80 and 90 degrees during the day. Temperatures 5 to 10 degrees cooler are acceptable at night. During daylight hours, a basking spot should be available and should reach 95 to 100 degrees.[17]
How Cold Is Too Cold For A Tegu?
You can see temperature go between 10C (50F) and 15C (59F) and sometimes even under 10C (50F). In my experience if you stay between 10C and 15C your tegu is save. If you have a drop under 10C for 1 night, it won’t affect your tegu as long as the temperature on most of the hibernation is stable.[18]
How Deep Should A Tegus Mulch Be?
A substrate depth of about 4 inches is fine for a hatchling tegu; 8 inches or deeper would be needed for an adult, which has a tendency to burrow into the substrate to rest. As with most pet reptiles, do not use any substrates, such as pine or cedar, that are overly dusty or resinous.Oct 5, 2017[19]
What Bedding Do You Use For Tegus?
Tegu Substrate
Cypress mulch is the most recommended substrate. Soil and sand mixture are also popular. Sand can be mixed with 30 to 50 percent soil and/or coconut mulch to maintain a consistency that can hold a burrow.Dec 9, 2019[20]
Is Cypress Mulch Okay For Tegus?
Holds humidity well, less dusty than coconut fiber. Cypress mulch (not blend) —Holds humidity well, especially when layered on top of soil/sand mix.[21]
Do Tegus Need Burrow?
These reptiles love to burrow so hatchlings will need about a substrate depth of 4 inches and adults will need 8 inches. Substrates that are dusty or resinous should be avoided at all costs because they are toxic to Argentine Tegus. They should also have a water dish big enough for them to climb into and soak.[22]
What Do You Put In A Tegu Enclosure?
Here are some ideas of items and accessories that work well for making your tegu enclosure more functional as well as more attractive:1Hide Box / Cave. … 2Large Water Tub. … 3Thick Substrate. … 4Large Logs/Branches. … 5Live or Artificial Plants. … 6“Toys”[23]
How Oftern Do Argentenan Tegus Poop
How often should my Tegu be pooping?www.tegutalk.com › Tegu Discussion Topics › General Tegu Discussion[24]
Can Argentine Tegus Be Potty Trained?
Here are some things that pet owners have trained their tegus to do in this way: Go to the bathroom in a particular spot (potty training) Walk towards a particular spot and stay there (target training)Apr 24, 2020[25]
How Often Should A Tegu Be Fed?
Adults should be fed every 2-3 days depending on their body condition (obese tegus will eat less often than under weight tegus). The bulk of an adult tegu’s diet should consist of rodents, small rats, and the occasional baby chick. Insects, eggs, and fish should all be offered as well.[26]
How Often Do Tegus Drink Water?
You can also use separate basking (heat) bulb and UVB bulbs. If you use these, you’ll want the Zoo Med 10.0 or Exo Terra UVB 10.0 variety. Always provide a nice sized water dish with fresh water. Your tegu will drink every day.[27]
Do Tegus Eat Every Day?
Tegus are fast growers with active metabolisms, so regular feeding is important. Juvenal tegus should be fed daily – typically the amount of food that they can eat in about an hour. As they reach adulthood, tegus should be fed small, adequate meals several times a week (every other day or every second day).[28]
How Does Underground Reptiles Sex Baby Tegus
CHECKING SEXES ON TEGUS! – YouTubewww.youtube.com › watch[29]
Can You Tell The Sex Of A Baby Tegu?
Tegus are sexually mature around 3 years old. They are sexually dimorphic, which means that males and females look different from one another. Males tend to be larger than females, have a much larger head, and display prominent jowls underneath the chin.[30]
Resources
[1]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/argentine-tegu/
[2]https://piscespets.com/blogs/news/gentle-giants-basic-tegu-care
[3]https://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/tegu_facts/281/
[4]https://www.kilroy.net/places/central-america/honduras/tegucigalpa
[5]https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/argentine-black-and-white-tegu/
[6]https://georgiawildlife.com/tegus
[7]https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/04/21/florida-traps-over-100-invasive-tegu-lizards/7393744001/
[8]https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/environment/2021-12-08/florida-tegu-lizards-migrating-north-what-invasion-means-for-state-wildlife
[9]https://inex.one/expert-network-directory/tegus-expert-network
[10]https://reptileslounge.com/blogs/care-sheets/care-sheet-for-tegus
[11]https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/argentine-black-and-white-tegu/
[12]https://georgiawildlife.com/tegus
[13]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/argentine-tegu/
[14]https://pethelpful.com/reptiles-amphibians/why-tegus-are-the-best-pet-lizards
[15]https://reptifiles.com/colombian-argentine-tegu-care/tegu-humidity-temperatures/
[16]https://reptilesupply.com/blogs/care-sheets/how-to-care-for-your-tegu
[17]https://www.lllreptile.com/articles/119-argentine-black-and-white-tegu/
[18]https://www.qualityreptiles.eu/hibernation/
[19]https://reptilesmagazine.com/tegu-lizard-housing-and-care-information/
[20]https://allanspetcenter.com/how-to-care-for-your-tegu/
[21]https://reptifiles.com/colombian-argentine-tegu-care/tegu-substrate/
[22]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/argentine-tegu/
[23]https://reptifiles.com/colombian-argentine-tegu-care/tegu-enclosure-decor/
[24]https://www.tegutalk.com/threads/how-often-should-my-tegu-be-pooping.18674/
[25]https://reptilinks.com/blogs/news/how-smart-are-tegus-understanding-tegu-intelligence
[26]http://www.exoticpetvet.com/tegu-care.html
[27]https://reptilerapture.net/argentine-black-and-white-tegu-caresheet.html
[28]https://reptileslounge.com/blogs/blog/a-list-of-best-foods-for-tegus
[29]https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DUFkCUGP1g2E
[30]https://reptifiles.com/colombian-argentine-tegu-care/tegu-health/sexing/