Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi
My neighbor has two great looking tegus (Male and Female) he keeps them outdoors (Miami) and bought them from Agama international.
He gave me the site because my dad and I are interested in lacertas which he told me they also sell there. I was looking at the pics on the site and saw snow. I dont understand doesnt that type of cold kill those lizards?
My neighbor brings his tegus in during cold spells . I intend to house my lacertas outside also but will bring in during cold.
Anyone keep their lizards outdoors all yr long? The gallery on the site had snow in a few pics. I found that amazing but was curious about that.
Thanks

I keep mind out all year long, however I live in Vegas, and it only gets 30 F rarely, mostly 45-55. I keep space heaters and lamps as needed. However, in the wild (Argentina) Temperatures I imagine get pretty extreme (Columbians more sensitive to cold). The cages you saw in snow, were probably similar enough to their natural habitat that they can hibernate without freezing to death. However, most homes cages wouldn't have the same requirements, so bringing them indoors in cold spells would probably be necessary.

Posted by: Mikal at Fri Apr 22 11:59:03 2005 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

I keep mind out all year long, however I live in Vegas, and it only gets 30 F rarely, mostly 45-55. I keep space heaters and lamps as needed. However, in the wild (Argentina) Temperatures I imagine get pretty extreme (Columbians more sensitive to cold). The cages you saw in snow, were probably similar enough to their natural habitat that they can hibernate without freezing to death. However, most homes cages wouldn't have the same requirements, so bringing them indoors in cold spells would probably be necessary.

After reading the site I saw the cages made for cold spells here and there but never thought tegus could live out in cold spells. My neighbor brings his indoors (heated garage) in cold spells.

I am in Miami and mine all stay outdoor year round with no additional heat except for those under one year old.

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Bennett

beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange

Posted by: beardiedragon at Fri Apr 22 13:04:47 2005 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

I am in Miami and mine all stay outdoor year round with no additional heat except for those under one year old.

Great looking tegu going to go look at your site. You know I read they have a group of wild tegus think called Gold tegus living wild now for years in Plantation Florida.

I have gone down to Bert's place several times, in the summer and in the winter. To answer your question to how he does it. He puts like a shower curtain cover material over the top of the cages (except a LOT thicker and heavier). So the snow never actually gets into the cages. Aside from his large tegus, he brings the majority of his animals inside during the winter in his basement in boxes. His large tegus have burrows around 10' deep and they stay down there. He also has very deep burrows for the others he does not get inside. He is EXTREMELY smart in how he makes his cages. I dont think he has ever had any of his animals die due to the weather.

I have gone down to Bert's place several times, in the summer and in the winter. To answer your question to how he does it. He puts like a shower curtain cover material over the top of the cages (except a LOT thicker and heavier). So the snow never actually gets into the cages. Aside from his large tegus, he brings the majority of his animals inside during the winter in his basement in boxes. His large tegus have burrows around 10' deep and they stay down there. He also has very deep burrows for the others he does not get inside. He is EXTREMELY smart in how he makes his cages. I dont think he has ever had any of his animals die due to the weather.

Thats interesting. My neighbor gave me his site since I am interested in lacertas. It stinks that he doesnt list his prices and you have to email him for it.
My neighbors tegus that he got from him years ago are great looking tho.

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Well, I keep my Argentines outside all year but not my columbians or my blues because they are tropical lizards. You need to take extreme caution if you leave your tegus or any reptile for that matter outside. The weather is one reason, but there are also so many others. I live in Tallahassee and it can get in the teens here during the winter. My outside cages have heat sources but at times I do bring my lizards inside.