Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sorry for the weird title, I couldn't figure out how to word it any different in so little space.

You may have seen my first post where I have decided to get a Tegu as my next aquisition. Originally I wanted a Argentine Red, but have fallen in love with a juvenile (maybe 3-4 month old) captive bred argentine Black and White tegu at my local reptile store (The Reptile Center in NY) I went to give him a look today and overall he is in good health, although he is a bit on the skinny side. Is this something to worry about or is it just because he is a "hatchling" that he is on the skinny side?

Okay now for my questions:

I have done my research (various online care sheets and read "Monitors, Tegus and related lizards" book in the barron book line. I have read that they will eat just about anything from cat food, dog food, mice, roaches, crickets, various meal worm type creatures, fruit, salad, tunafish, eggs, etc etc. My question is this. What percentages of each thing do i feed? I know with my beardies they get 80% veggies and 20% meat in their diet, but for the tegus, do i feed it dog food everyday and then mice everynow and then, or do I offer I try to offer a different food item every day of the week?

Basically I'm wondering what you feed your Tegu's on a daily basis.

Thanks in advance,
Ralph

P.S. After the Tegu has settled into his new surroundings, how long can I "play" for lack of a better word with him each day? Should I try and house break him first like a puppy, or should I simply handle him at will?

Thank you for your time!
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2.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.5 Hatchling Bearded Dragons
1.1 Honduran Milksnake
1.0 Florida Brooksi Kingsnake
1.0 Blood Red Cornsnake
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
1.0 Western Hognose Snake
1.0 Bull Mastiff

Hi Ralph, good choice haha. First I was just curious as to what you thought of the conditions at the local pet shop there. Do they have good hide spots, plenty of substrate, and a hot basking spot?
On Bert’s website (agamainternational) he mentions a study were they found the stomach contents of wild adult Arg B&W tegus at one particular time to be 60% fruit and vegetables matter and 40% meat and animal matter. In captivity they are usually feed a larger percentage of meat (especially when they're young.. 90%ish) and even when they're older (with mine like 80% still). I think the main reason for that is simply because they like meat more. Was it in that monitor-tegu book that they mention dog and cat food? That's usually frowned upon as a major part of their diet around here. Though I’m no nutrition expert. Most people stick with the insects when young and mice and fruit when older and some variety thrown in there. When mine were babies I usually feed them 2 different types of food every day. Good luck on your decision!

Hi Rollin,

It was actually the picture that you posted that inspired me to get a B&W tegu, or any tegu for that matter. The local herp store is a good one, its been around for about 10 years, the staff is friendly and they seem to be pretty smart. In their defense, they had just gotten the Tegu in that day that I went to look at them. He had not eaten a meal yet, and you could see he was getting used to his new surroundings. They changed his substrate while I was there from carpeting to about 4 inches of mossy/mulchy type stuff, not sure on the exact name. And his water dish was clean and filled, it appeared he was being well taken care of. Thanks for the info on what to feed and what not to feed. I actually read the cat/dog food thing on here I think. This may be a stupid question, but since they can eat cat and dog food atleast a little bit of it, can you offer dog treats like beggin strips or something similar to the Tegus as a
"treat" for doing something good?(Such as when potty training)

P.S. I'm 17 and I live with my parents, so its becoming a struggle to convince them that I need yet another reptile LOL but of course I need more, like the old saying goes, 1 is never enough. Are Tegu's relatively clean animals? If well taken care of do they have any odors? What can I use to help argue my case here lol basically I'm looking for the info that you only recieve from experience, not from reading books and stuff.

Thanks for your time,
Ralph
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2.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.5 Hatchling Bearded Dragons
1.1 Honduran Milksnake
1.0 Florida Brooksi Kingsnake
1.0 Blood Red Cornsnake
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
1.0 Western Hognose Snake
1.0 Bull Mastiff

Tegus do not have an odor. At least I have never noticed one. When they move their bowels it STINKS. It will have to be cleaned up promptly. This is as much to keep your tegu healthy as well as removing an unpleasant odor. I never have heard of offering doggie treats either, who knows it might eat it. My tegu will eat just about anything. Good Luck