Smynx/Smulkin ... got a question for ya

[led4urhead]

What kind of tegu do you guys have? Hows the temperment? Where'd you get him? I've been wanting one of the Argentine Black and White Tegu's for a while. I am finally in the postition where i have the $, space, and caging ( at least for a while ) for one and was just wondering what your's was and how it is. Other people i know that own them say they are wonderful animals.

[Smulkin]

Ours is a B&W as well however I am pretty sure it's Columbian. My son bought him at the all-Ohio how a month or so ago.

This lil guy's a hell of a sport - very personable, active and easily handleable. He loves nothing more than burrowing down into the substrate and hangin out. AWESOME tongues - you won't find any other lizards with tongues this snake-like. THey also have an unmistakable agitated stance so they're pretty easy to read but only time he's displayed that with me was when i accidently woke him up from a nap when the water container clanked against the tank. Very cool lizards - both these and the plateds seem to be nonplussed and not skittish.

[Bambi]

Hmm, I rescued an Argentine Red from the same guy I recued my BP from. Beefy (Tegu), has a lot of attitude on him! Supposedly the reds are very docile but Beefy is anything but docile :shock: He hates my hand in the tank, and lunges trying to assert his dominance every time I am doing maitenence. He is a hell of a character though and I love him We'll see just how his temperment unfolds. I hope to be able to take him for walks in the summer on a leash (no- i'm not joking )

I do have a question though. I have him in a 75g with full spectrum UVA/UVB lighting, water bowl etc., I understand the baisic requirements. However there isn't much info on their diet except that they eat alot of fruits and can eat chicken and turkey. So far i've fed Beefy kiwi, bananna, grapes, starfruit, etc. and cooked chicken with vitamin/calcium supplements and ground turkey with the same supplements. What else can I feed him? What do you feed yours?

I think i'm getting hooked on these guys and my mom is too! She is already talking about getting another Tegu next year, except this one from a breeder. It would be an Albino Blue Tegu.

[hhw]

King mealworms, Crickets, and Mice are what people usually feed their tegus I think. They are pretty much kept like monitors, except with fruit added to their diet. A burrowable substrate (like plain old dirt) of sufficient depth would probably also be a good idea.

[Bambi]

Well i've fed him mealworms and he loves them except for the fact that he can never get them out of the bowl! He throws the bowl around to get them out instead I have him on Cypress Mulch and he loves it! He can dig as well as the mulch takes off any extra shed on his toes that I can't get. I swear this thing is a garbage disposal! Anything I have put infront of him he eats with delight

[led4urhead]

Thanks for the info guys! I think i'll be picking that little guy up this week. I'll post pics when i can.

[Bambi]

Awesome Carson! You will love he/she to death! I know I love Beefy even with his 'tude He is a hell of a character too. You will not regret getting he/she!

[Smulkin]

WRONG! We have a gold - color brightened up considerably with some decent lights.

[Bambi]

Wow what a beauty :shock: That is a stunner of a Tegu! I want another :mrgreen: