Good big lizard to start off with

So i wont be getting one anytime soon but i figured i would ask so i have plenty of time to do more research. I really like black and white tegus. Only experience i have with lizards is with my bearded dragon ive only had a few months and a few leopard geckos. I know neither one is anything like caring for a tegu or monitor. So what big lizards dont get huge (no bigger then 2'-3'), are cheapish to purchase $50-$150, and have a good temperment. I know that in the long run its going to cost some money to feed and maintain but thats ok with me. So what do you guy/gals suggest

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Northern blue tongues get up to 2 feet. I have been told Egyptian Uros can get up to 3 feet, but I dont have any Uro experience so hopefully someone else can verify.

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I was looking into owning a big lizard and unfortunately, after doing some research, most of the large lizards are typically aggressive, require a very large enclosure and are extremely labor intensive to socialize. And sadly, there still isn't any guarantee that it will be tame.

Large lizards need enclosures measured in the 8x6x6 or 8x6x4 type sizes...usually custom built...id suggest more research on your part. They will also cost LOTS of money over the life of the lizard especially in feeding and proper housing costs.

The cost of the lizard should be your last concern. That is usually minor compared to the cost to build proper caging, the increase in your utilities, and the feeding costs involved. Since I'm not as familiar with tegu care, I'll give a quick rundown of a bare minimum savanna monitor setup. 8'×4'×4' bare minimum cage containing around 2' of soil/sand substrate, which usually makes the cage weigh about a ton. Hotspot of 130°-150°f, a diet starting with mixed insects, 100+cricket a day at times, and going to more rodent based as the animal matures. And thats just the bare minimum basic info. Depending on how well insulated the cage isnand the temp of your house, you could easily see an increase of 25 bucks a month or more on your electric. I keep dwarf monitors, and the amount of food they can go through is nuts.

You could try an Ackie, they stay pretty small


I like my Dubstep to go Wop Wop Wop Wop

From everything I've read, blue tongue skinks would be a good fit for you... They are about the size of a beardie and don't require a super complex diet. They still need a large cage and proper heating / lighting though. On the upside, they do tend to be pretty tame.

If one is interested in tegus or varanids, a BTS is NOT going to fit the bill. At all.

I don't like seeing "Minimum requirements" all the time. No one should be concerned about minimum housing. Large lizards need huge enclosures. 8x4 for a sav is okay. I would say 12 x 6 for a tegu would be sufficient; but bigger is always better.

Chris

Tegus need a bigger cage then Savs? I was told 8x4x3 was a good size?

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Originally Posted by Expensive hobby

You could try an Ackie, they stay pretty small


I like my Dubstep to go Wop Wop Wop Wop

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No matter how many times people like to recommend these, I almost never see them for sale. Whenever they are available, they're utterly unaffordable.
I'd probably have more luck obtaining an Angolan python.

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Originally Posted by mumps

I would say 12 x 6 for a tegu would be sufficient; but bigger is always better.

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That's outrageous. Only a zoo could provide an enclosure like that, or that would require an outdoor pen, if the weather was agreeable. It'd be one thing if the tegu was always locked in it's enclosure, but odds are people would getting a tegu so they can take them out and handle them all the time.

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Originally Posted by pythonminion

No matter how many times people like to recommend these, I almost never see them for sale. Whenever they are available, they're utterly unaffordable.
I'd probably have more luck obtaining an Angolan python.

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That's outrageous. Only a zoo could provide an enclosure like that, or that would require an outdoor pen, if the weather was agreeable. It'd be one thing if the tegu was always locked in it's enclosure, but odds are people would getting a tegu because of how tame most of them are.

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Yeah ive seen a few for sale but there normally expensive i think once i get some funds im going going to either get a blue tounge skink or a uromastyx

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by pythonminion

No matter how many times people like to recommend these, I almost never see them for sale. Whenever they are available, they're utterly unaffordable.
I'd probably have more luck obtaining an Angolan python.

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That's outrageous. Only a zoo could provide an enclosure like that, or that would require an outdoor pen, if the weather was agreeable. It'd be one thing if the tegu was always locked in it's enclosure, but odds are people would getting a tegu so they can take them out and handle them all the time.

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So a captive bred and healthy lizard isn't worth more than a wild caught import of questionable health? Even at the price they go for you notice that they are hard to find, right? As for cage sizes, the generally accepted minimum for any lizard is 2x the adult length long and 1x the length wide and tall. So for a sav or tegu, you'd need 8x4x4 bare minimum. And unless your retired or work at home, the hour or so most people might spend with their lizard does not negate the need for adequate caging for the other 23hrs or so. Then there's the simple fact that keeping them out much longer than that can begin to affect their health. Bottom line is that if you can't provide the space and care an animal needs, then don't own one.