Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Have not seen much either way, I suppose that being a lizard, the sun wouldn,t be bad for tegus. But do they need it for proper health?

Growing tegus need calcium to build strong bones and prevent metabolic bone disease. They need vitamin D3 to be able to use calcium. UVB lights are supposed to provide a source of D3, although not as much as the sun does. You can also get D3 in suppliment (lots of the calcium suppliments are available with vitamin D).

As to the benefit of one over another, each herp keeper has his or her own opinion. Some people insist on UVB lights, some never use them. Some take their tegus out for regular sunshine and never use either. Some just use a good suppliment. Some (like me) use both.

There have been long discussions, sometimes very heated, about this issue. But in a nutshell, tegus need D3 to convert calcium to a form they can use. I use Minerall indoor formula and a UVB light and so far have had no problems.

Leslie