Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been taking my tegus outside in an old birdcage that's approx 24" by 18". The bottom wires I covered with cardboard and have cardboard up the side about three inches. They seem to really like it and don't seem to mind the dogs looking at them. My blue/red cross seems to be changing color and at times has light turquoise spots on her head. She also seems to be more cranky after being outside. Anyone else's tegus do this???

I also noted that there was discussion yesterday about how hot is too hot outdoors??? In my backyard there is lots of shade. I took the temp gun out and this is what I found. When the temps are in the mid 90's the shaded parts of my patio and yard are the same or cooler by a few degrees than the air temp. In the sunny parts of the yard and patio temps ran from 103 to 118. I found a couple spots that were 122. What really shocked me was a small sunny spot on the side of my house was 122. I took a reading on my tegus backs and it was 118. They seemed to be really enjoying the experience. I try to give them a choice shade or none. They seem to like the heat.

Mike B

Hello how are you? My tegus really prefer the warmer temps also even in the tank indoors they will go to the hot side and climb on the log to get closer to the light. How old is your blue/red? I have a 10 - 11 month old blue and some days I can swear I see blue other days I can't see any.
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Beau W.

Tiki Tupinambis my red/blue cross hatched September 18, 2002. I think she is about 20" overall length. Ryan Blakeley (Walter's World of Pets, Lubbock, TX) was the breeder. He says a hot spot in the 130 degree range is about right.

Mike B.

Please try taking a reading from the road surface on a hot sunny day. I uaually set my basking temps at 125ish by putting my hand under the light on the tile so that it's hot but I can keep my hand there comfortably. When I go outside here in Minnesota on the street I can't hardly even keep my hand on the surface of the road. My tegu starts to lift his legs up too and he never does that in the cage. BTW I shouldn't even let him bask by the road because everyone stares as they drive by, could cause a accident!