Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, I've descided that in September I will probably buy a Blue Tegu from Ron St. Pierre (www.bluetegu.com). I have a couple questions about setup for while its young.

1. Would it be sufficent to keep one in a 55 gallon aquarium (until its big enough to fit in the cage I will build) with a UV-B overhead light and a Cobra heat mat under 1/3 of the tank?

2. If I vary their diet between mice pinkies, crickets, and mealworms would that keep it nice and healthy (if I put calcium supplement on the food)?

Thanks again
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£v£®LïGh†

Currently have: Antherystic Corn Snake, Amelanistic Corn Snake, Oakatee Corn Snake, Leucistic Texas Ratsnake, and an Eastern Fox Snake

Have had:
Ghost Corn Snake, 2 Japanese Firebelly Newts, 3 Green Treefrogs, Cuban treefrog, Eastern Box Turtle, 3 Leopard Geckos

Saving for:
Red Tail Boa, Jungle Carpet Python, Blue Tegu (hopefully)

55 is fine for first few months---i never used uth ;just overhead 150 basking light--diet sounds excellent--i always dust crickets with mineral i---i don't dust any rodents--brian

Hello,

As far as the 55gal enclosure goes, it will work fine short term. However, keep in mind that they grow really fast. I had my guy in a 20L for about two weeks and then put him in a 8' enclosure with a divider that I kept moving out as he grew. I started with about 3' of cage to roam and moved the divider as he got bigger. The diet variation you listed will be great if you can get the critter to eat all those different things. My guy "Tegan" was a cricket chasing fool when he was a littln'. Now he is strickly a Turkey and Rat man! Can't get him to touch any kingworms. He does like an occaisional grape or two though, that's fun to watch Just make sure he gets plenty of UV and food and you will have a big fat happy Tegu buddy. Because of their growth rate UV is ultra important. If you wish to see how fast they grow, take a look at my website under photos and then Tegu. I documented with photos how fast the little piggy grew, it is pretty amazing. Just click on "Reptile-Like" in my signature line and get ready to start closing pop up windows provided by the webpage host Tripod
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Peace!
KofSeattle
Reptile-Like
Here lizard lizard.........

Would a 6'x3'x3' cage be big enough? Also, how exactly do you make the doors for Tegus? As you said they get large, and therefore very strong, do you use Plexiglas in a frame? Or do they not really try to get out of the cage when they're large?

And you feed yours canned turkey? Or how do you prepare it?

Thanks
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£v£®LïGh†

Currently have: Antherystic Corn Snake, Amelanistic Corn Snake, Oakatee Corn Snake, Leucistic Texas Ratsnake, and an Eastern Fox Snake

Have had:
Ghost Corn Snake, 2 Japanese Firebelly Newts, 3 Green Treefrogs, Cuban treefrog, Eastern Box Turtle, 3 Leopard Geckos

Saving for:
Red Tail Boa, Jungle Carpet Python, Blue Tegu

Those dimensions are probably ok for a single Tegu but bigger is of course ALWAYS better. Yes, plexiglass in a frame is what I have. Tegu's are very strong and can be escape artists so sturdy construction is important. Regarding the Turkey, I use ground turkey. Make sure it isn't frozen and about room temp. I susally throw mine in the microwave for 30 seconds to bring it to room temp. Best of luck!
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Peace!
KofSeattle
Reptile-Like
Here lizard lizard.........

I mix it up with fruit as well
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com