Columbian vs Argentine tegu

I know everyone says the Argentine is the one to go with, but how do they differ? How can I be sure I get an argentine and not a colombian? Do they look different?
And what about red tegus? How do they compare temperment-wise?
There are some babies nearby me, and they were very friendly seeming. But I know the argentine is what everyone says is the best.
Wolfy

I put my money on the Colombian..Oh, I thought you were taking bets! :)

ROFLOL.
Funny funny man. Sigh, I'm surrounded by pinheads.
Just kidding, that was a good one, and I think you deserve 2 points for it.
Wolfy

I love the Red Tegus myself. Main differnces with colombian vs. Argentine tegu is that Argies are Omnivores and Col. are mainly carnivores. Red Tegu need lots of fruits in their diet or they may have shedding problems. There is something that has to do with the face colors. Colombians are also called golden tegus and they don't reach quite as large as argies

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

ROFLOL.
Funny funny man. Sigh, I'm surrounded by pinheads.
Just kidding, that was a good one, and I think you deserve 2 points for it.
Wolfy

---

Yes! 2 more points! :P

Colombian tegus are considered more aggressive.. lower pet quality. They have a slightly different look from the tegu. They don't have a black stripe on the neck that the argy B&W does.

Blue, argy b&w, and red tegus are all fabulous pet lizards for those willing to make the commitment. Blues are the easiest to care for.

You don't want a Colombian - I've kept 2 and they would never calm down - biting or attempting to, tail whipping ect... - I've kept 3 Argentines and they were all pretty mellow and people friendly - Here's some visual differences


http://thetegu.com/contentid-10.html

BP's rock: Thank you, exactly what I was looking for. I wanted the visual differences to be sure I didn't get a colombian by mistake. (IE get ripped off by someone who would SAY it was a argie)
Is it just me or are the Blues pretty expensive?
Wolfy

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

BP's rock: Thank you, exactly what I was looking for. I wanted the visual differences to be sure I didn't get a colombian by mistake. (IE get ripped off by someone who would SAY it was a argie)
Is it just me or are the Blues pretty expensive?
Wolfy

---

Blues will run you a little more because they are harder to come by - Reds will be cheaper, and B&W's the cheapest as there are quite a few breeders and they are easiest to come by...

I may be remembering wrong, but I think Red get bigger.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Schlyne

I may be remembering wrong, but I think Red get bigger.

---

The Argentine B&W's are considered the largest of the Tegu's, however the Reds can get as large if not larger than the B&W's, however you are getting into the 4-4.5 range with either - I've never kept any reds, and don't keep Tegu's anymore - but the largest B&W I've had was about 52" STL, and a little over 10 lbs - He was a big boy...

The two red's that have been in house were both nice and calm, even after coming from horrid conditions. I love the reds.
We have a Columbian B&W and he is the extreme opposite. Horrible temperment. Charges you at every turn, even when his enclosure is locked up and your across the room doing something. We've had other b&w's that weren't this bad. This guy is really nuts.
Rusty

Hi Theresa!!! I just love my tegu!!!! ;)

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...otos/tegu2.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...hotos/tegu.jpg

great looking tegu Bill. get him some dirt to dig in.;) :)

Cool, I'm not all that fond of babies myself, prefer to get them a bit larger.
I'm thinking of trading Charity for a arg tegu. What do you think?
Wolfy

Lovely Tegu, Bill - an Argentine B&W is top of my most wanted list - however I don't think I'll be allowed more at the moment ... :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mr~python

great looking tegu Bill. get him some dirt to dig in.;) :)

---

Wouldn't be very practical in the setup he is in, I setup per the breeders requirements and it seems to not be stressed. So I will keep it this way for now. ;) He has 2 different dens he can use.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

Cool, I'm not all that fond of babies myself, prefer to get them a bit larger.
I'm thinking of trading Charity for a arg tegu. What do you think?
Wolfy

---

Actually, it seems this guy is calming down really fast. I remove him from the setup everyday to feed him in a seperate area, he is quickly becoming tame and very calm. Plus the bite of a baby won't hurt like a full grown. LOL!! I would rather work with a baby and get it "trained" to the way I do things, rather than the other way around. ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Razaiel

Lovely Tegu, Bill - an Argentine B&W is top of my most wanted list

---

:sweeet::sweeet:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mr~python

great looking tegu Bill. get him some dirt to dig in.;) :)

---

I agree Bill, great looking little guy (We never get them in as babies, just adorible).

Mr~P, we keep ours on 80% Cypress Mulch, 20% Soil. It looks like Bill's baby is on the same type of mulch. Our tegus do great and has a whole little "underworld of tunnels", they stay pretty stable in part to the high amount of mulch. Just a bit of info....
Thanks
Rusty