The Tegu is a Large Lizard
Argentine tegus are large, strong, intelligent lizards that can grow upward of 5 feet long and weigh more than 20 pounds. An average female is around 3 to 3½ feet long and 6- to 8-plus pounds. An average male is about 4 to 4½ feet long and 8- to 12-plus pounds.Dec 5, 2017[1]
How Much Does A Full Grown Tegu Weigh?
Their adult length can vary from 2.5 feet (76 cm) in adult females to sometimes even longer than 4 feet (122 cm) in adult males. Unlike other lizards, these are very heavily built animals, ranging from 7 to 12 pounds (3.2 to 5.4 kg) or more when fully grown.[2]
How Big Is A Full Grown Tegu?
Their life span in captivity seems to be 15 to 20 years They grow up to about 5 feet in total length and can weigh as much as 35 pounds. They often become very docile when kept in a stable setting and with the attention needed.[3]
Which Tegu Is The Largest?
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.[4]
How Much Do Red Tegus Weigh?
Weight: A healthy, adult red tegu can weigh around 50 pounds. Color: They are brownish-green, having black stripes across the width along with several broken white stripes down their length. They develop their characteristic red coloration (from which they get their name) as they mature.[5]
How Long Do Argentine Tegus Live
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]
How Long Do Argentine Tegus Live In Captivity?
Their life span in captivity seems to be 15 to 20 years They grow up to about 5 feet in total length and can weigh as much as 35 pounds. They often become very docile when kept in a stable setting and with the attention needed.[7]
Do Argentine Tegus Like To Be Held?
Argentine Tegus have a reputation for being docile and calm. But like all lizards, they must get comfortable with you first before handling. If not, their flight-or-fight tendencies will kick in. Adults will be more difficult in domesticating, so you should absolutely start handling these reptiles when they’re young.[8]
Are Argentine Tegus 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.Nov 22, 2018[9]
How Big Does An Argentine Tegu Get?
Argentine black and white tegus are large lizards that can reach nearly five feet in length. They have a mottled black and white coloration that often is arranged into a banding pattern across the back and tail. Hatchlings display similar markings, but typically have bright green heads.[10]
How Big Do Female Tegus Get
Differentiating between female and male Argentine Black and White Tegu is very easy. Females will be shorter than males (growing up to 3 feet) and males are typically 4.5 feet (1.5 feet longer): Male lizards can grow up to 4.5 feet long and weigh 20 pounds. Females will be 3 feet and weigh about 15 pounds.[11]
How Long Does It Take For A Tegu To Reach Full Size?
Argentine tegus grow fast and get pretty big. We recommend starting out a baby tegu in at least a 36′ x 18′ tank. Exo Terra’s Large or Zilla’s 40 breeder critter cage both work well. In just 3 years, they can reach an adult size of a hefty 4 feet for males and somewhat smaller for females.[12]
How Long Do Female Tegus Live?
Their life span in captivity seems to be 15 to 20 years They grow up to about 5 feet in total length and can weigh as much as 35 pounds. They often become very docile when kept in a stable setting and with the attention needed.Oct 5, 2017[13]
Can You House 2 Female Tegus Together?
But if you want two tegus just to make sure the first tegu has a friend, let me put your mind to ease: tegus do not need friends, and they’re perfectly happy living alone. The good news is that tegus possess enough “social skills” that more than one tegu can be housed in the same enclosure without incident.[14]
How Do Tegus Affect Florida’S Ecosystem
Potential impacts of tegus include competition with and preying upon Florida’s native wildlife, including some imperiled and protected species. Tegus prey upon the nests of other animals, and researchers have documented tegus eating American alligator eggs and disturbing American crocodile nests in Florida.[15]
What Problems Are Tegus Causing?
Tegus may be more cold tolerant than other reptile species and more likely to spread throughout the state. There are concerns, as well, that tegus could spread exotic parasites to native wildlife and cause bacterial contamination of crops. Research shows that these reptiles, like most, carry salmonella.[16]
How Does The Tegu Threaten The Everglades?
In Florida, tegus have dug into alligator and turtle nests and eaten the eggs. A growing and spreading tegu population is a threat to native wildlife such as crocodiles, sea turtles, ground-nesting birds, and small mammals.[17]
Are Tegu Invasive In Florida?
The invasive species are known to eat the eggs of important animals in Florida, like American alligators and rare birds, which are biological indicators for Everglades restoration. Tegus have been reported in 35 Florida counties, including nearly every part of the greater Tampa Bay region.Dec 8, 2021[18]
Why Are Tegus In Florida?
Tegu populations spreading in Florida
Tegu’s population likely originated from escapes or releases stemming from the exotic pet trade, according to the conservation commission’s nonnative biologist Dan Quinn. Over 12,000 tegus statewide have been removed from the wild to date.[19]
When Do Tegus Hibernate
If you plan to hibernate your tegu, stop feeding it when it’s eating has slowed, usually mid-October. Keep the lights on for the next 14 days, but don’t feed the tegu anything. Continue to provide fresh water.Dec 5, 2017[20]
How Long Do Tegu Lizards Hibernate?
In captivity, brumation is how tegus prepare for breeding. Brumation lasts for 6-7 months and can affect tegus as young as 1 year. Colombian tegus are from a warmer climate, and do not typically brumate. Argentine tegus do brumate, but brumation is not required for pet (non-breeding) tegus.[21]
Do Black And White Tegus Need To Hibernate?
Like I said above. They all have different needs. Only Black and white (including: blacknose, blackhead and chacoan) and Red tegus hibernate. I start hibernation after they have become 1 year old because they are stronger and the chances of it going wrong is much smaller.[22]
Do Blue Tegus Hibernate?
Tegus can and do go into full hibernation.Sep 6, 2015[23]
What Do Baby Tegus Eat
Baby tegus eat insects, pinky rodents and ground meat (but be sure to add calcium). Occasionally I give them a boiled egg or canned cat food. Do not use cat food as a staple food; only cats should eat it that way.Dec 1, 2011[24]
Can Baby Tegus Eat Fruit?
Gold tegu feeding
A typical gold tegu diet is omnivorous and indiscriminate, much like their Argentinian relatives. This means they also enjoy a diverse diet of lean meats, insects, eggs, and occasional fruits and veggies.Feb 18, 2020[25]
What Fruits Can Tegus Eat?
FRUITSApples.Blackberries.Blueberries.Cactus fruit.Cherries.Dates.Grapes (green or red)Figs.[26]
How Many Crickets Do You Feed A Baby Tegu?
feed as many as he can eat in 10 mins like 3 times a day.[27]
How Fast Do Baby Tegus Grow?
Housing a Tegu
Keep in mind that with the proper care described in this article, a young tegus will grow fast, up to an inch a month. For this reason, plan to eventually provide an enclosure that’s at least 6 by 3 by 3 feet.[28]
How Many Eggs Do Tegus Lay
Tegu breeding in Florida begins in early spring. Female tegus reach reproductive maturity after their second year of brumation or when they are about 12 inches long from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. They lay an average of 35 eggs per year.[29]
At What Age Can You Breed Tegus?
Maturity occurs around 3 years of age. Tegus are becoming more popular in the pet industry and pet trade. Before buying these lizards one should know where they were bred, as catching them from the wild is decreasing their populations, and wild caught tegus can be very aggressive.[30]
Resources
[1]https://reptilesmagazine.com/is-a-tegu-right-for-you/
[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentine_black_and_white_tegu
[3]https://reptilesmagazine.com/tegu-lizard-housing-and-care-information/
[4]https://georgiawildlife.com/tegus
[5]https://www.animalspot.net/red-tegu.html
[6]https://georgiawildlife.com/tegus
[7]https://reptilesmagazine.com/tegu-lizard-housing-and-care-information/
[8]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/argentine-tegu/
[9]https://piscespets.com/blogs/news/gentle-giants-basic-tegu-care
[10]https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/argentine-black-and-white-tegu/
[11]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/argentine-tegu/
[12]https://reptilerapture.net/argentine-black-and-white-tegu-caresheet.html
[13]https://reptilesmagazine.com/tegu-lizard-housing-and-care-information/
[14]https://reptifiles.com/colombian-argentine-tegu-care/tegu-enclosure-size/
[15]https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/argentine-black-and-white-tegu/
[16]https://georgiawildlife.com/tegus
[17]https://www.evergladescisma.org/the-dirty-dozen/tegu-lizards/
[18]https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/environment/2021-12-08/florida-tegu-lizards-migrating-north-what-invasion-means-for-state-wildlife
[19]https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/04/21/florida-traps-over-100-invasive-tegu-lizards/7393744001/
[20]https://reptilesmagazine.com/is-a-tegu-right-for-you/
[21]https://reptifiles.com/colombian-argentine-tegu-care/tegu-health/brumation/
[22]https://www.qualityreptiles.eu/hibernation/
[23]https://www.reptileforums.co.uk/threads/what-is-a-hibernating-argentine-b-w-tegu-like.1082889/
[24]https://reptilesmagazine.com/housing-and-feeding-tegus/
[25]https://reptilinks.com/blogs/news/beginners-guide-to-tegu-feeding-and-care
[26]https://reptifiles.com/colombian-argentine-tegu-care/tegu-food/
[27]https://www.reptileforums.co.uk/threads/how-much-2-feed-baby-tegu.420602/
[28]https://reptilesmagazine.com/tegu-lizard-housing-and-care-information/
[29]https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/argentine-black-and-white-tegu/
[30]https://www.lvzoo.org/animals/argentine-black-and-white-tegu/