Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is the best type of Tegu to start with? My boyfriend and I really like the Argentine Black and White Tegu, but we're new to large lizards. I've volunteered with large lizards before, but I've only owned an asian water monitor for a short time and currently own a blue tongue skink and ball pythons.

Thanks
-----
Teresa
------------------
3.0 Dogs (2.0 Chihuahuas, 1.0 Toy Poodle)
1.5 Cats
1.0 Cockatiel
1.0 Indonesian Blue tongue skink

Ball Pythons
0.1 100% Het Albino (Watsini)
1.0 Pastel (Sweets)
0.1 Spider (Daisy)

I like tegus because they are inquisitive, attractive, and easy to habituate. They tame easily, stay within a taming routine, and really aren't aggressive if kept properly.

Now, if you ask this on the monitor forum, the folks over there may give you another answer.

Wanted to add that I would go with a a nice B/W Argentine tegu that is known to be captive bred from a good breeder.

Blues stay the smallest and are relatively easy to handle in terms of attitude. Argentines are also great, but get a bit larger. Blues will be much more expensive and tougher to find. They also do not hibernate as Argentines do (under the right conditions), which may be of some benefit to a new tegu owner. Early hibernation behavior can be confusing and frustrating to an owner that is unfamiliar with the activity.

I'd avoid reds due to tendency to have shed issues and need for a more balanced (fruit) diet. Other than Colombians, most types of tegus should probably eat some plant matter, but reds seem to need it more. I'd also stay away from Colombians due to their tendency to be more aggressive and almost 100% likelihood of being imported. They're really inexpensive, but in the long run the attitude will wear on you.

It's a decent time of year to find a baby cbb tegu. Good luck.