Tegu enclosures need a cool spot, warm area, and a basking spot. A cools spot must be about 80° F, the warm area should about 90° F and the basking spot should be about 95° F – 100° F.[1]
Which Is Easier To Care For Tegus Or Monitors
Argentine Tegu VS Savannah Monitor | Which is Better For You?reptileschool.com › Blog[2]
Are Tegus Hard To Take Care Of?
Tegus are big, mellow, affectionate, easy to care for, and with a good diet can live about 20 years.[3]
Is A Tegu Considered A Monitor?
Although they resemble monitor lizards, they are only distantly related to them; the similarities are a result of convergent evolution. Some species are of economic importance as food and pets.[4]
Where Do Tegus Like To Be Petted
Do tegus enjoy being pet? | Tegu Talkwww.tegutalk.com › … › Tegu Taming and Handling Discussion[5]
Do Tegus Like Being Petted?
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[6]
Do Tegus Show Affection?
They’re very attractive, smart, and calm. These lizards are one of the most affectionate reptile-species in captivity. They establish a close bond with their owners, because of this, many Argentine Tegu owners compared owning one to owning a dog or cat, another reason why they’re so popular![7]
How Do I Bond With My Tegu?
First, place a recently-worn (preferably sweaty) shirt in his/her hide so that they come to associate your scent with security. After a couple weeks, accustom it to your presence. Ignoring your tegu is actually a great way to tame him/her.[8]
Are Tegus As Smart As Dogs?
Because of their impressive cognitive abilities, one of the most interesting aspects of tegu care is the ability to train your tegu. Much like dogs and cats (and unlike hognose snakes), these extraordinary lizards can be conditioned to perform certain behaviors through the power of positive reinforcement.Apr 24, 2020[9]
Why Do Male Tegus Have Chubby Cheeks
There’s an element of sexual selection- testosterone affects muscle development, and so in the wild, bigger jowls tend to mean a stronger male- but in captivity, bigger cheeks tend to mean overfeeding as the fat layer develops to greater extremes than the muscles naturally can.Jun 3, 2017[10]
Why Do Male Tegus Get Jowls?
Tegus exhibit sexual dimorphism. Males display greatly expanded and prominent ‘jowls’ along the base of the lower jaw. These jowls are the result of extensive growth of the ventral pterygoideus muscles (a prominent jaw closing muscle in reptiles).[11]
Do Male Tegus Get Bigger Than Females?
Size and Longevity
Tegus are fast growing lizards, often reaching sexual maturity in 3 years or less. Males grow larger, sometimes exceeding 4 feet in total length with a thick, muscular build. Females are slightly smaller, usually in the 3 foot range, and are more slightly built than their male counterparts.[12]
Do Tegus Recognize Their Owners?
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.[13]
How Much Do Argentine Tegus Cost In New York
Argentine Tegus retail for about $200 USD.[14]
How Much Does A Argentine Black And White Tegu Cost?
How Much Do Argentine Black and White Tegus Cost? Argentine Tegus from a breeder will often cost around $200 for a hatchling. You will often need to find a reputable breeder because these reptiles are not typical to find in a pet store.[15]
How Much Does A Blue Tegu Cost?
If you are looking for a unique Argentine Tegu, the Blue morph may be for you, but they cost a little bit more at $250 to $600.[16]
How Much Does A Red Tegu Cost?
Re tegus are generally inexpensive, considering their size. A general average for the cost lies between $250 and $350.[17]
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.[18]
How Do Tegus Warm Up
During their spring and summertime, tegus warm themselves by basking in the sun – reaching temperatures of up to 35ºC (95ºF) – and then they retreat into their burrows at night.Jan 23, 2016[19]
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.[20]
Do Tegus Need Heating?
As a tropical species, tegus will require warm temperatures during most of the year unless they are being brumated (cooled) for reproductive cycling. 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.[21]
How Do You Heat A Tegu Tank?
What basking temperatures do Argentine tegus need?1Argentine tegus need a basking surface temperature of 125-135°F. … 2Provide heat for your lizard by imitating the sun with a cluster of halogen heat lamps placed on one side of the enclosure.[22]
Can Tegus Regulate Their Body Temperature?
“The tegu uses its metabolism to regulate internal temperature during the reproductive season, but behaves like an ectothermic animal during the rest of the year.[23]
What Diseases Do Tegus Carry
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.[24]
Are Tegus Harmful To Humans?
Whether as a pet, or in the wild, tegus are not dangerous to humans. They measure an average of three feet including their tail and are not known for attacking anything bigger than their actual body.[25]
What Problems Do Tegus Cause?
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.[26]
Do Tegus Have Parasites?
Internal parasites
A tegu infested with parasites can experience a loss of appetite and eventually weight loss. Their stools may be loose and they could behave lethargically, even when not hibernating. If you see any of these, contact your veterinarian.Dec 1, 2011[27]
Can Lizards Transmit Diseases To Humans?
(as well as other amphibians and reptiles)
These animals frequently carry bacteria called Salmonella that can cause serious illness in people. Salmonella can spread by either direct or indirect contact with amphibians (e.g., frogs), reptiles (e.g., turtles, lizards or snakes) or their droppings.[28]
What Lamp For Tegus
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.[29]
Do Tegus 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.[30]
Resources
[1]https://reptileslounge.com/blogs/care-sheets/care-sheet-for-tegus
[2]https://reptileschool.com/argentine-tegu-vs-savannah-monitor/
[3]https://pethelpful.com/reptiles-amphibians/why-tegus-are-the-best-pet-lizards%23:~:text%3DTegus%2520are%2520big%252C%2520mellow%252C%2520affectionate,can%2520live%2520about%252020%2520years.
[4]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tegu%23:~:text%3DAlthough%2520they%2520resemble%2520monitor%2520lizards,importance%2520as%2520food%2520and%2520pets.
[5]https://www.tegutalk.com/threads/do-tegus-enjoy-being-pet.12575/
[6]https://piscespets.com/blogs/news/gentle-giants-basic-tegu-care
[7]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/argentine-tegu/
[8]https://reptifiles.com/colombian-argentine-tegu-care/handling-tips/
[9]https://reptilinks.com/blogs/news/how-smart-are-tegus-understanding-tegu-intelligence
[10]https://kaijutegu.tumblr.com/post/161378944503/why-do-male-tegus-have-such-big-cheeks
[11]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvator_(lizard)
[12]https://www.lllreptile.com/articles/119-argentine-black-and-white-tegu/
[13]https://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/tegu_facts/281/
[14]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/argentine-tegu/
[15]https://petkeen.com/argentine-black-and-white-tegu/
[16]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/tegu-lizards/
[17]https://petkeen.com/red-tegu/
[18]https://piscespets.com/blogs/news/gentle-giants-basic-tegu-care
[19]https://www.iflscience.com/tegu-lizards-heat-during-mating-season-33389
[20]https://www.qualityreptiles.eu/hibernation/
[21]https://www.lllreptile.com/articles/119-argentine-black-and-white-tegu/
[22]https://reptilesupply.com/blogs/care-sheets/how-to-care-for-your-tegu
[23]https://agencia.fapesp.br/giant-tegu-lizard-is-warm-blooded-researchers-discover/22723/
[24]https://georgiawildlife.com/tegus
[25]https://regardingreptiles.com/are-tegus-dangerous/
[26]https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/argentine-black-and-white-tegu/
[27]https://reptilesmagazine.com/tegu-lizard-health/
[28]https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/salmonella/amphibian_reptilian_questions_and_answers.htm
[29]https://reptifiles.com/colombian-argentine-tegu-care/tegu-humidity-temperatures/
[30]https://reptilesupply.com/blogs/care-sheets/how-to-care-for-your-tegu