Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Although, I was in a big hurry to get my tegus over the cricket stage and onto a mainly rodent diet, I think I am going to keep insects as part of their diet even into adulthood. But instead of crickets, I started a Hisser colony (at 3 inches, even an adult tegu will enjoy one). The main purpose is as a constant gutload vehicle for veggies and fruits, but also for enhanced color. When I kept fish, feeding them crickets made their color come out. I also remember Frank Retes telling me that red ackies he raised on crickets were more red than those maintained on mice. Also, look at Bennetts' reds, they are SO RED...could it be the diet, including their weekly fixings of fat, juicy Hissers.

What do you guys think?

Dave

Hello,

While I am not sure about the food/color effect on Tegus I do know that in many reptiles and other animals this is true. I keep Collared lizards and this was brought to my attention from a breeder that also happened to be a Dr. A Collareds diet directly effects their color. Their are some products available that also assist with this but they are pretty hard to find. I would have to believe that a Tegus diet would also effect their color in some way even though Tegus do not have quite the brilliant colors some of the others in the reptile world do. It would be interesting to experiment some with this theory in Tegus. Do let us know what you determine thorough your gutloaded roach feeding. If nothing else you get a very healthy tegu out of it right
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Peace!
KofSeattle
Reptile-Like
Here lizard lizard.........