Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, i posted almost the same exact post ion the Monitor Forum, and they said to maybe look into tegus, ive looked at them before, and i just want to know which tegu would be right for me. im still debating over what to get... here are my requirements....

1. Not over 5 ft maximum
2. Probably under $100 for the lizard at an expo, might go higher if needed. (im only a teenager...)
3. OK enclosure size, it will be custom, what about a 4'X5' ground space? might be able to go a little bit bigger.
4. Diet- could it be- Insects(Crickets Roaches), Something like the SDZ diet, pre-prepared diets, vegtables, (NO RODENTS!), could be variaitions of what is here.
5. Thats about it, oh, it needs to be able to be handled.

Thanks! could you also post about lighting, heat and substrate.
-----
Nic
if you want to contact me: noseguardnoms@hotmail.com
Email me if you want to give me any more info

1. Not over 5 ft maximum-the BW get to 4 feet
2. Probably under $100 for the lizard at an expo, might go higher if needed.-a BW will be under $100
3. OK enclosure size, it will be custom, what about a 4'X5' ground space? might be able to go a little bit bigger.-a 4 foot tegu will need a cage 4' by 8'
4. Diet- could it be- Insects(Crickets Roaches), Something like the SDZ diet, pre-prepared diets, vegtables, (NO RODENTS!), could be variaitions of what is here.-prepared diets are bad, tegus need insects and rodents with reds needing some fruit
5. Thats about it, oh, it needs to be able to be handled.-tegus are handlable

based on what you said you shouldn't get a tegu.
-----
0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 normal ball python (felix)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

everything that limits you should be fine for a bearded dragon. they are really handlable and dont require as much space. if you can make the cage tall then id get an iguana, they get big and are handable, i believe theyd fit in a cage about that big (youd have to research it some more tho, im not sure) when i lived in south florida we had big out door cages for our iguanas, i even had one that would sleep on "his" pillow next to mine, no joke he was still there asleep when i woke up everyday. they make great pets if handled, if not i could send you a pic of my finger after a 6 foot iguana got a hold of it when i was 8 yrs old, lol. good luck, justin

1. Not over 5 ft maximum
**They get close, but I've never heard anything >=5"**
2. Probably under $100 for the lizard at an expo, might go higher if needed. (im only a teenager...)
**I got mine for $75 $30 shipping from Bert at Agama International. I would highly recommend trying to get one from either Bert or Ron St. Pierre or Glades Herp. I'm sure there are many good breeders out there, but these guys have been doing it the longest.
3. OK enclosure size, it will be custom, what about a 4'X5' ground space? might be able to go a little bit bigger.
**Many people say you need 8'x4', but these are not absolutely required. What you really need is at or above 32 square feet for an adult. The difference is you can make multilevel enclosures that maximize floor space by using vertical space and saving horizontal space. Scroll down this forum and look at the different pics of enlcosures. I think the person's name is ciliatus and his pic will give you an idea of what I mean. I plan on building a 6'LX4'DX6'T with two levels for my tegu.
4. Diet- could it be- Insects(Crickets Roaches), Something like the SDZ diet, pre-prepared diets, vegtables, (NO RODENTS!), could be variaitions of what is here.
**There should be no preset "staple" diet for tegus. They need variety. I don't think they like veggies so much as they do fruits, and usually not until they are adults. My juvi kinda just licks any fruit I give him and walks away. The SDZ maybe could be used as a substitute for rodents because they say it is nutritionally equal to rodents, but personally I just feel that whole prey items are better.
5. Thats about it, oh, it needs to be able to be handled.
**Different temperments with different individuals. My tegu still doesn't quite know what to make of me. When I reach in for him he kinda huffs a little (he used to stand straight, arch his back, puff up all trying to scare me off). Now that he knows I don;t wanna eat him he is a puppy dog. They are very intelligent for a reptile, some say comparable to a house cat. Some also say that they are the smartest reptiles on the planet, but the same has been said for tortoises, crocs, beardies, and others I;m sure.

-----
-Bill

1.0.0 Albino California Kingsnake
0.1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.0.1 Axolotl Salamander
0.0.1 Red Flame Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu

BoidsNTegus@insightbb.com