Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can I ask some help from you people?

I have been considering adding a tegu to my herp family, but have no experience with large lizards(except some hostile iguanas a few years back)

I have been reading up on husbandry and the care seems realtively easy.

My main question, is a tegu right for me?

I have lots of Boas, from colombians, to tree boas. I just love South American Fauna. This is what drives towards a tegu.
I have been into snakes so long, but once had a bearded dragon for a year. I am a vegetarian but preparing mice/meats doesnt bother me. All animals have to eat in my mind.

But can some one tell me what percentage of food should a tegu get when its a baby and when its an adult?

Like... as an adult..40% whole prey(mice/rats/chicks), 40% Inverts(crickets and super worms) and then 20% fruit? I would like to add more on the fruit percents if i could, since there is so much in my house.

Also, about handling. I really want a large lizard, 3ft to 4 ft is my limit because of actually cage size I can give this lizard. Are Tegus mellow animals? Are they good lap lizards? I dont want a huge monster plundering my house trying to kill my cat if I decide to let roam freely. Would they even try to kill that cat? SO many questions....

I have been looking at female blues. Mainly because i hear they are smaller, but do males get any bigger? Which of the gender is better suited for handleing alot? I would like to take it to schools. I am going to do that with my snakes.

OK, I will end it there... I could go on for ever asking questions about what about this... and how about that...
I was even about to get into tegu psychology... well.. maybe I can email you tegu owners..

Pretty much, can you tell me how you feed your tegus and tell me about thier personalities. Thank you so much.
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Starkey
Mystic Eye

we raise ours on 93% fat free turkey mixed with the fruit they like (mango, bananna, melons...)and suplements (miner-all). they also get crix and superworms. when they are large enough, they also get mice several times a week. we have found this diet works well to help the animal grow properly. we do not ever use any dog or cat food and advise against its use as it is much to fatty. after they reach about 2 years old, we give small rats 3 times a week during season and turkey to females that need the weight for laying eggs or have just layed. rats are much better for the digestion than chicks so the stool is not as runny. they also get fresh fruit daily.

My big red male gets handled once a week or so. he loves riding in the shopping cart at home depot. and he always gives the ladies a kiss on the cheek. he is about 4' and almost 20 lbs.

every lizard has their own unique personality. I have found, if you handle them frequently they can make a good lounge lizard especially after they are adults. many juvies are wrestless and want to check out everything

We feed f/t rats not live so their feeding response should be less aggressive.

If you want more info don't hesitate to drop me a line or give me a call. you can visit my website for some more pics.

BTW we have some red babies available now

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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

Welcome to the forum! I had the exact same intentions when I bought my tegu. I wanted a good lap lizard, and not more than 4 feet. I've had much reptile experience also. I purchased a juvie red, and I love him. He is so sweet, but is not the ideal lap lizard (yet). Like said before, as juvies most are interested in everything and won't sit still (I hope that's true anyway). On the other hand, he is so sweet and I dont think will ever bite anybody unless something crazy happens. I trust him already around anybody. He was captive bred, so definitely do not buy otherwise. I've read that reds tend to be most docile. Reds get biggest too (4 feet). I've had some difficulties lately with shedding and stuff - he's more high maintenance than my previous monitors and water dragons. His personality is completely different, and you will see why everyone loves their tegus so much if you get a good one. To sum it up, I was in your position about 4 months ago, and I do not regret getting my arg. red tegu. I just hope he'll learn to sit still more - I can't exactly bring him to Home Depot yet He's 22 inches. Good luck!
The Reptilian Den (needs some updating)

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-reptilian9

Thanks for the response... i checked out your site, but sadly, No tegu pics. but i did see something... les claypool fan? I saw him in july... that was a great show... wow... Primus is getting back together. it will be grand..

but anyway.. thanks for the info.. I am planning on getting a blue, I am so excited!
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Starkey
Mystic Eye

Yes, I have very much neglected my web site, but thanks for visiting! Yeah, I saw Les Claypool in May, and you would not believe some of the pictures I got away with on my digital camera. Awesome, I didn't know Primus was getting back together. I was hoping CCBBB would make a cd. Oh well. Let's not bore everybody and keep this to the tegus. Maybe one day I'll give my site some TLC and put all my tegu pics up. My tegu is not in very good shape right now (skin fungus) and I'm most worried about that getting better. Let us know when you get your blue. Later.
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-reptilian9

ok ok... just one more thing about les...

go here... these are the pics my friend and i took at his show...http://www.angelfire.com/comics/boainc/lesclaypool.html

have a good one man!
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Starkey
Mystic Eye

Yeah those are cool pics. Believe it or not, mine are even closer - like him staring me in the face as close as possible. I will post sometime this week on my site some tegu pics and a couple of les pics. He wore that same mask btw. Take it easy.
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-reptilian9

Hi
It's good to hear that you're finding out info before you get one. As youngens you should try to feed mostly insects; like 60% insects 20% meat, 20% fruit. When they get to adult size I think you can pretty much rule out little insects and give them closer to 50% meat and 50% fruit. I don't think you'll have to worry about it hunting cats 4' might sound like a lot but they really aren't much bigger then a cat. They are generally slow moving and laid back. Infact they like to spend much of the day being lazy in their hide box. Mine come out for 2-5 hours per day, during that time I enjoy taking them outside for walks, and laying around with them. They sit still when we lay around for about 15 mins then they get restless, when I take them outside they curiously walk around a little slower then walking speed. Don't expect them to come to you for affection but mine sure don't mind lying around with me on the couch while watching TV for awhile.