Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Everything says they will go into hibernation or that you should hibernate them. So how exactly does one do this? What temperature drop is required and for how long? Does anyone have a good book on tegu breeding they could reccomend?

Argentine b&w tegus can hibernate and so can reds. Blues can as well but often they brumate - coming out every once in a while and even eating if temps are right and food is available, but their metabolism is much slower. Colombian tegus do not hibernate.

The most important thing a tegu owner needs to do is provide a dark, secure place where the tegu can comfortably curl up and hide undisturbed for as long as it wants. This can be done either with a hide box half filled with mulch and an access hole cut into the top, or a very deep layer of mulch substrate on top of which are boards, cork bark or another type of cover.

The hiding place should be cozy enough to accommodate a curled up tegu and not much else - no tall empty structures. In the wild tegus spend a lot of time in burrows - either made by the tegu or or borrowed from some other animal. They usually choose a relatively snug fit so predators cannot get in there with them.

The second thing is to allow the tegu to do as it pleases. If it feels like hibernatinmg it will. If not, it won't. Before it goes into hibernation it'll go off feed so it can clear out its digestive system. Then it will burrow down or enter the hidebox and close up the entrance. It can do all this without any prompting from its keeper.

Once you see that the tegu hasn't emerged for a while you can lower the cage temps to room temperatures, but always make sure there is fresh water available. At this point do not disturb the tegu. Keep in mind that an Arg b&w tegu can choose to stay down for 6 months! Once you see the tegu emerge you can begin to raise the temps.

That's about all you need to do. But above all, let the tegu do as it wishes. Do not try to force its instincts.

Bill