Reptile & Amphibian Forums

HI ALL. I am interested in getting a columbian tegu soon but want to research all the care he/it will need. So far all I have found is adult size and cost.. which is easy enough..

Where is GOOD caresheet/website to look over, plus any books or forums(other than this one) where i can learn all I need?? I am not new to reptiles but this will be first monitor..so want to do it right..

thanks in advance

Harpy
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My Herp Zoo:

0.4 corns, 1.0 anery hondo milk, 1.1 thayeri king leonis
0.1 SD gopher; 0.1 stripe Pacific Gopher; 1.0 Oregon Rubber boa
0.1 blizzard leopard gecko. 2.1 Schnieder Skink
0.3 box turtles; 1.0 CA Ornate Wood turtles
2.2 Russian Torts; 1.0 Red-foot Tort
1.1 whites tree frogs, 1.2 pacific tree frogs, 1.0 Chubby frog, 1.0 African pyxie frog,
0.1 korean firebelly toads, 1.0 African common toad
2.2 long-toed sallies, 1.1 Oregon Ensatinas, 1.0 paddletail newts..and soon columbian tegu..

2 cats, lots of mice and a ButtLoad of crickets to feed them all....

tegus arn't monitors and i wouldn't get a columbian get a argitina tegu and a web site that has a forum and care sheets is repticzone . com take out the spaces

Monitors are old world lizards and tegus are new world lizards...very different in their care.

Is there are reason why you want a Colombian? Some people purchase them because they are cheaper than Argentine B/W, but there is a reason. The Colombians are typically more flighty, smaller, and not as tame. They can be friendly with a lot of work, but still not the same as the larger Argentines.

I have a Colombian and I keep her in a large enclosure with Cypress Mulch substrate. She requires UV and heat to a 90-100 basking spot, and buries down for most of the day. I see her for about an hour or two a day, three if it's a good day and I take her out to 'play'. She's completely carnivorous and eats a variety of whole foods. She's huffy, can tail whip, and may bite if she doesn't want to be handled. And this is after two years of consistent handling. She doesn't really bite any more, just tail whips.

You can do searches for care sheets or check out the two major tegu sites for more info.

I would reccomend argentina black and white tegu over colombian since they are much tamer and better for beginner large lizard keeper. I would reccomend you to grab your self a book by Micheal Balsai "general care and maintenance of popular monitors and tegus. This book is a bit old but very effective. I am sure there are new books out there that are good too as well. This book works for me. Good luck.

Awesome Tegu! Huge!!!