Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am thinking once again of getting a tegu. I had to give away my 4 ft iguana last month (totally against my will!) and am going to be moving again, permanently this time, in a month & I'm going to want a big, friendly lizard around again. I want to get a blue or red tegu & I have read posts about how people's tegu's are super tame & was wondering how to get them that way? My ig was like a human almost, very personable & friendly. I am not sure if any other huge lizard will ever be like him. Are males more potentially agressive than females? Any tips, comments?
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Danielle
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1.0 green water dragon (Dragon)
0.4 leos (Yoshi, Slizzard, Cream, Pokey)
0.1 GG beardie (Sobe)
1.0 blue anole (Tiki)
1.1 bettas (unnamed)
1.0 Rhod. Ridgeback dog (Titan)
~My Pets~

Hello you will never get another that is like your Iggy was. Each has thier own personality while you will have some that are just as friendly they will not be the same. Most Red and Blue tegus are mellow and normally tame from the start. The absolute best way though is just to handle them and have as much contact with them as you can. At least 20 to 30 minutes a day every day. If you commit the time to them they will be fine and as mellow and tame as a dog. Good luck to you with your new home and your new lizard.

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Beau W.

"There are no athiests in foxholes. It is not an argument against athiesm but rather one against foxholes." James Morrow

I agree with Beau, you'll have to handle and be around your tegu daily. I've read (and experienced) that most tegus don't like to be held for extended periods of time, at least with my tegu if he's held for more than a couple of minutes he does the "roll" to try and break free.
When petting him in his cage or in the tub, he's calm and usually falls asleep.

From the couple of savannah monitors I've had, in my opinion, they are the best choice for a monitor to become "dog tame". Just like tegus, they have different personalities as well, but if you go for a baby one, you can usually pick up all of them at the shop and get one that you like best. My last savannah, who was nearly 4 feet long, was as tame as you can imagine. Nothing like the tegu, he'd rest on my chest, let me walk around with him (almost like a baby) and fall asleep after about 10 minutes of holding him. I could put him on the sofa next to me and he'd crawl up on to my lap to be scratched (behind the ears was his favorite spot - always leaning into it) and fall asleep on my lap.
My Tegu would never do that, he'd rather go explore than to sit up on the couch with me and be pet.

While it's just my personal opinion, I do think that if you are looking for that "dog tame" type of lizard, and are willing to spend time daily (not missing a single day) handling him and giving him attention so he gets used to - a savannah monitor is the best way to go.

Hi Danielle,

I have both a green iguana, and an argentine black and white tegu, and so far it has been waaaay easier to tame the tegu. He was just easy from the start, my iguana on the other hand is quite strong willed (for lack of a better term)Admitedly my iguana is only a baby right now, but jeez, his little hissy fits are something else!! My tegu is a free roamer, he is potty trained, and I trust him at almost four feet long with all 4 of my children. It didnt take much at all to make him this way, just a little patience, and a whole lot of handling.

Good luck with everything.

Leyla x

How did you potty train your tegu? That is my next project for martha and stewart.

I got martha and stewart tame by excessive handling during both day and night hours. Both the tegus know that I'm the guy who lets them out, so when I stick my hand in the cage they crawl up on it and wait for me to pick them up. I also like to take them out at night and let them sleep on the couch next to me while I'm watching tv... they are perfectly comfortable with sleeping on or beside people and like to use your hand as a pillow so you can rub their throats.

Nice Ridgeback!! I have had one for 8 years they are the sweetest dogs. Female tegus our known for being very aggresive during mating season , similar to how male Iguanas. I would purchase either a argentine B and W , a red or the much smaller blue tegu. The columbian B and W's pretty aggressive. are I just purchased a white headed (naturaly occuring morph of Argentine B and W) tegu 2 weeks ago. They can put on quite a show with their hissing , tail whipping and the occasional bite, but once they start accepting you as a friend they are wonderful animals. By the way you are almost as cute as your Puppy, its a toss up.

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