Re: i got a tegu! caging question
The 55 should be fine. I have a columbian also and they don't get as big or grow as fast as an argi. A full grown columbian is usually between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 feet while the argis get much bigger. Columbians are a lot more skiddish, shy and defensive. When someone refers to or says their tegu is dog tame its more than likely an argi. With columbians you never know....some start of calm and get more aggressive as they get older while others do just the opposite. When they don't want to be bothered or when you haven't paid much attention to them they'll definetly let you know it.My tegu Spaz is 1 1/2 years old and just over two feet long from her nose to the tip of her tail. She started out snappy but I don't have those issues any more. [img]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/spaz/IMGP0383.JPG[/img][img]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/spaz/IMGP0383.JPG[/img]
Re: i got a tegu! caging question
If you picked up a colombian, handle it as much and as often as possible to try to tame it down. Do not feed it inside the enclosure. Do not hand feed it & Do not feed live rodents. Colombians are the harder species to tame down, but on rare occasion some have been tamed a good bit.
For an enclosure size, a good rule of thumb is to prepare for adult size because they can grow fast. A colombian can get 3 to 3.5 feet long. So, you want your enclosure 6' long x 3' wide x 3' high, optimally. This allows twice the length and plenty of room to turn around. You want some height because they love to burrow so a good 10" of substrate is good to have room for. Three feet high gives you room for the substrate and the lights, leaving enough room for the tegu to bask without getting burned.
The minimum size I would use for an adult colombian is 5' long x 2.5' wide x 2.5' high.
Rick
Re: i got a tegu! caging question
i have an argentine, not a columbian... and i know the cage size for an adult, the issue is i was concerned with is having too large a cage for my hachling (stress). i've got it all worked out though now... i figure i'll just keep the cage size roughly twice the length of the tegu and call it good. it seems to be doing great.
Re: i got a tegu! caging question
The reason I replied as if you had a colombian is because your original post stated..
Quote:
Originally Posted by kzooherpetoculturist
i picked up a black and white columbian, CB 05.
You have the enclosure issue dealt with so that's all set.
Good luck, can't wait to see pics.
Rick
Re: i got a tegu! caging question
bah, well that was stupid of me... doesnt help i usually type while i'm at work. sorry about that. it's a captive bred argentine b&w, and thanks i'll post pics asap.
is this the same rick from thetegu.com?
Re: i got a tegu! caging question
Quote:
Originally Posted by kzooherpetoculturist
bah, well that was stupid of me... doesnt help i usually type while i'm at work. sorry about that. it's a captive bred argentine b&w, and thanks i'll post pics asap.
Can't wait to see the pics.
Quote:
is this the same rick from thetegu.com?
Yup. :)
Rick
