Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can I house a Red and a Black and White Arg. Tegu in a 2.5 ft by 4 ft tall by 8 ft long cage with plenty of basking spots etc? And also, how do they do when they are introduced to each other. I have a black and white tegu right now, but hope to purchase a red Tegu soon. Is it possible to house them together? How do they do when they are introduced with another. My black and white Arg. is still relativly young (under 2 ft). Thanks so much!
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David and Kevin

KDRKreatures.com
Exotic Reptile Breeders - Specializing in Bearded Dragons

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I've never done it, but I only have had one tegu. If they are the same size, it is possible I suppose. There are some people on this site who house different species of reptile together and they do fine. If you introduce them on neutral ground, like somewhere they both havent been before, then one wont consider the other a territorial threat. Get some more replies before you take my advice though, this is what I do with dogs and cats, it may not work for reptiles. You also have to consider gender when you do this.
-Beth

I keep a black (male)and white and a blue(female) together., In a 8' long -4' wide and3' tall.they are 3 1/2 years old . They also have worked out there differences, She did bite him a couple of times.Now he gets his way. Her4s a picture of the two. She is 39-40" TL-14 -15" SNttoVt,and 6-7lbs.He is 4'3 - 4'4TL, 21" snt to vent and 18-19 lbs.Take care russ

As you already know, If they are close in size and are healthy and are out of quarantine you can try. But remember they are WILD animals. Unlike BDs they can do a seious amount of damage in a short time. You may want o check some of the recent posts on thetegu.com as someone there put a 2' male with a 3' female and on the third day, she ripped his arm off and he died! (RIP Mr. Magoo). I have had tegus not get along as well (2 female Reds). So yes you can but be carefull.

that having been said, Rick (again thetegu.com) recomends rearranging the cage and getting the scent of the current animal off things so there is no territorial issue. Sound like a good idea to me.
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Bennett

beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange

My female and male got along for 3 days. On the forth day my female just flipped and tore off the males arm. She also grabbed him several times in which his skin was torn and he had puncture wounds everywhere, which happen to cost him his life. I would be very careful when introducing two tegus. She is still a very calm animal, and can't be blaimed for what happened. As bennett said they are wild animals and it's how they deal with things. How a tegu reacts with humans can be totally different when it comes to other tegus. Learn from my experience, be careful and don't rush anything!
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John Light
JL Exotics
Contact Me
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The B&W ARG. Tegu I have now is no bigger than 1.5 foot, and head is two times smaller than a large beardie head. Still a youngin. AND "he" is not living in the big cage yet, when he DOES, they both go in at the same time so no one has the upper hand. I was hoping if they grow up together then it would be a little better!

David
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David and Kevin

KDRKreatures.com
Exotic Reptile Breeders - Specializing in Bearded Dragons

Email

Just re-read your original post and I guess I read it wrong the first time. 2.5' wide id not wide enough for a big Tegu. My Red males are about 20" snout to vent. about 4' with tail so 2.5 feet is not much space to turn around. If they try to pass each other there may be friction. That size will work for a year or so but not much past that if your Tegus grow big. And yes, it is always better to introduce them as young as possible.
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Bennett

beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange

I can't argue with someone's experience with a female killing its male roommate, but I have nothing but good things to say about tegus tolerance with others. I started out with al young tegus, (3 col., and 3 arg. bw) and kept them separate by group, but not each individual. I then purchased a pair of large red and a pair of large black white. Reading similar stories about male aggression and species aggression I kept them separate very carefully for some time. After a while I decided to test the waters while soaking them. The red pair and b/w pair all 4 together in a crowded bath tub never thought twice of threatening the others. Get this. I later then added the Younger 6 (col. and b/w arg.) to the bunch as well as a newly added younger red male and nothing! Not one of them imposed danger on another. I've recently addeda blue to the gang and it gets along with the rest perfect. I still house them all separately, but frequently I have them visit the other cages while I do my cleaning work and I've never had a problem.

Mikal