Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 3" of cypress mulch in a 60gal. The undertank heater is large, I stuck a therm in the substrate over the heater and its 99 degrees under his corkbark. The environment is next to a window, so on top of the UVB light it also has indirect sun light. The room is kept at 78 degrees. Will this be ok or do I need overhead heat as well?

JohnNLV

P.S. I've decided to keep him and deal with everything, I just like him too much.

Yes you need more heat. Both my adult teguslike 115 degree as well as 130 degree temps to bask under. Also my out cage heats up to 120-145 in the full sun in 60 degree weather, and they go in and out of the sun all day long.

The problem with undertank heating for all lizards is that it makes it very difficult for them to regulate their own temperature. Really you need some form of overhead heating that heats one part of the terrarium more than another. This way the Tegu can moderate temperature by simply moving closer or further from the heat source.

Russ 1066's reply and photo shows what should be happening. Lots of different possiblities for the Tegu to self-regulate. The results speak for themselves.

Relying solely on underfloor heating is particularly ill-advised in the colder months, as it forces the Tegu to try and absorb as much heat as possible through its belly. Not only is this un-natural but often the heating supply has to be turned up high to get the correct heat in the rest of the terrarium. This can lead to serious burns.
It can also lead to increased risk from parasites which breed in the higher temperatures.

You say you have decided to keep your Tegu because you like him so much. Please make sure he says the same about you.

I agree. Even though captivity is not like nature, it still makes sense to somehow simulate the sun, usually with an adaquate wattage flood light UVB light combo or a good mercury vapor lamp. This way they get good high (around 110-130) basking basking spots plus UV. When they dig, they expect to cool off, not warm up. Check out Veranus.NET. There are lots of great practical topics and lots of philisophical topics (like how lizards feel about heat/light) and lots of great topics. Frank Retes posts there also, he's the man.
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-Bill

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