Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I haven't set up the vivarium yet but it will be a 30 gallon tank with lots of tropical plants, a waterfall and stream, and some climbing branches. In this area, will a male and female fight? What about something the size of a 40gal breeder? I'd appreciate any insight since these are my first EVER lizards.(I do have experience with reptiles though, since I've worked at petstores for many years). I want everything to be beautiful and happy. Also... before I forget, the tank will be right next to a window, will this give enough UV light or will I have to purchase bulbs still?

uvb gets up to 90% filtered out threw glass, so a uvb light is better. and is the forty gallon breeder for adults? they will need at least a 6 by 3 cage for a medium tegu. they shouldnt fight but ive heard that males bite females during breeding.

all that stuff really isnt neccessary. especially if you keep them right they will grow out of it in a matter of 1-2months. do realize that if you get a pair you will have to have atleast a 7x3x3 cage. my lone tegu is in a 12x4x6 now. though i plan on having another male argentine b/w and have plans on getting a male red. as far as fighting, the good thing about tegus is that they are pretty social. though it doesnt mean something wont happen. you just have to be on the look out. a bigger cage and multiple basking spots will minimize that chance of them fighting. its really more on their own attitudes. i've never had any problems with any of my tegus fighting. just watch them and like i said those tanks wont hold them for long at all if you take care of them right.
later

I agree with Matthew. My tegus is growing about 1.5 inches per WEEK, so a 30G or even a 55G will last only a couple months. You say these are your first lizards, and that's all good, just be prepared. These guys are not easy, and keeping multiple specimens will be even tougher. My tegu was my first lizard also, but I researched tegus for about 4 months before purchasing one. Check out some posts below. Look for caging ideas and you will get an idea of what is required. Good luck.
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-Bill

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Why so large of a cage? The adults only get to be about 10"...or so I've heard. The rainbows are on the smaller side I thought.....

What species are you referring to? All tegus are large. The blues are the smallest at about 3 FEET. The reds and the BW get over 4 feet long and up to 20 pounds! You may be referring to a dwarf tegu or a racerunner or something. There is not much info about them and they supposedly make short lived pets. Maybe you need to do a little more research before you wind up with a huge rat eating dinosaur in your house.

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-Bill

1.0.0 Albino California Kingsnake
0.1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.1.0 Leucistic Patternless Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Red Flame Crested Gecko
0.1.0 Orange Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu

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I'm referring to a rainbow ameiva. We sell them at my store marked as asst. ameiva but I know they are rainbows. Your right though, I can't find a whole lot of info on these little guys. I could always fill the tank with frogs but they are so messy! Crickets all up in the filter intake.... sloppy.

I see. I forgot ameivas are teiids! 99.9% of the posts on here are about tupinambis marianea, either blue, bw, or red tegus, some tupinambis teguixin but not much. Be sure to specify the species especially if it not a common one so we don't all get confused!
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-Bill

1.0.0 Albino California Kingsnake
0.1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.1.0 Leucistic Patternless Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Red Flame Crested Gecko
0.1.0 Orange Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu

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BoidsNTegus@insightbb.com

actually the smallest are probably the Chilean Dwarf Tegus. what people dont know is that there are actually a LOT of species of tegus. my favorite would prbably be the water tegu for appearances.

I have never heard of a water tegu. Do you know of any links to a photo gallery of the different teiid species? I would like to see some of Vito's cousins!
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-Bill

1.0.0 Albino California Kingsnake
0.1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.1.0 Leucistic Patternless Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Red Flame Crested Gecko
0.1.0 Orange Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu

My Home Page

BoidsNTegus@insightbb.com