Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is a tegu for me?

I am looking to buy a heavy bodied lizard such as a monitor or a tegu. In your opinions, do you suggest tegus or monitors, I heard that tegus get very docile, and are not temperamental such as most monitors which can be kitten tame than bite for no reason at all. if you agree please let me know, and is there any differences between Black/whites, Red/ whites or whatever crazy morphs you have in this neck of the woods.

Thank You
Tony Butler

well, i would say maybe do some research on all of the species...learning the info you need is always more rewarding than having it handed to you.....this and other forums would be a good start, buy some books...
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Craig

I would say in general, tegus are far more docile and easier to tame than monitors are. However, there are exceptions in each category. Gold tegus are notorious for being more aggressive as are nile monitors.

Have you ever owned a reptile before. As a word of caution, it is a HUGE committment. Be warned that monitors and tegus grow extremely large and will require atleast a 6 foot long cage when full grown, possibly larger depending on the species/sex. Also, you should know that financially, buying the actual specimen is the cheapest part of caring for a reptile. Building/buying a 6 foot long cage will cost hundreds of dollars, and daily feeding will be quite costly as well. And you'll have to be prepared to change the substrate quite frequently as these are large lizards and take large poops.

Having said all this, if you feel that you are willing to accept this challenge for 15+ years, then by all means get a tegu. I myself have a female blue. She has never bitten, or even shown any form of aggression toward me. Female blues are also the smallest of the tegus (with the exception of "dwarf tegus". So it is basically at matter of choice, you can't go wrong with any species of tegu, so long as it isnt a gold, just keep in mind that females will be smaller.

Amika photos and video

I have never owned a monitor but I have been around some that given alot of attention did very well. My Tegus go to my wifes 4th grade classroom and roam around with the kids. They are the most mellow animals. Now having said that you should know that with any type of animal you will have some that are more aggressive than others. My Red is a sweety, My buddies red on the other hand is a little more fiesty. They area great pet. But like others have said already be prepared to spend a fair amount of money for housing and care for your tegu.

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Beau W.