Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been keeping monitors some lizards for years, and I am thinking of getting an Argentine black and white tegu. I have had good luck with a dirt/sand mixture for substrate for the monitors. It holds moisture well and my monitors are able to burrow into it.

I have a couple of questions for you experienced tegu keepers:

1.) Would this dirt/sand mixture be ok for the tegu?

2.) How deep is the substrate in your (knowledgeable keepers) enclosures?

For example:

Almost 3 foot Argus monitor in a burrow he dug. The dirt was 2 feet deep.

and

2 1/2 foot Frilly on top of substrate. Dirt was 6 inches deep.

and

Young Ornate monitor on dirt and leaf litter.

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Greetings,

Ed

I use cypesss mulch. It's cheep and holds moisture well. As far as sand and dirt go they're not my preference. However, many people keep their tegus outside on such a substrate without any problems. Regarding depth a few inches to half a foot is good depending on the animal's size and teh size of the enclosure. The tegu should be able to burrow and/nest in it.
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