Red Tegu, evil little thing!

[SlitherinSisters]

A friend of mine has a black and white tegu that we just fell in love with! They are so awesome! So...we went to the Tinley show and couldn't find any black and whites for sale in a decent price range. Long story short my sister ended up with a red tegu. We asked to be sure it wasn't Colombian, he's Argentinian. He was great when we got him, but as soon as my sis got him home and set up, he's a nasty little bugger! I'm guessing that since he didn't have any heat for several days he wasn't as 'lively' as he should have been. He has definitely doubled in size since October, and he's getting a little better, but he still scares me when I go visit my family and try to hold him. He whips you and bites!!!! I read that they can be aggressive as babies/juveniles and that reds are rarely aggressive as adults. Please someone tell me that is true! He's so darn cool!

[SK_Exotics]

With work, tegus can grow up to be pretty chill. But tegus dont read online articles, so once in a while one will stray from the norm. Just keep him well fed and try to get him used to you!

Also, that guy is really neat. I dont think I have seen a dark pattern like that!

[SlitherinSisters]

With work, tegus can grow up to be pretty chill. But tegus dont read online articles, so once in a while one will stray from the norm. Just keep him well fed and try to get him used to you!

Also, that guy is really neat. I dont think I have seen a dark pattern like that!

That sounds sort of like good news, lol! He's definitely a little better than he was a couple months ago, but I still don't trust putting my bare hand in there! It doesn't really look like he has teeth, but I got bit by a gecko and ever since then I don't trust lizards that bite!

That's cool that you haven't seen a dark pattern! I think he is just so neat, save for the evil part. I would love to steal him! Those pictures were of him the day we got him (in the hotel that didn't allow pets ) if I did that today he would try and bite my fingers!

[BPelizabeth]

he is just gorgeous. Go to www.varnyard.com he has some great tips for taming tegus. First of all their teeth are like that of Blue tongue skinks...its more bones and yes they can do some serious damage. They can be a lot to deal with but like I said that website has great tips. He also reccomends feeding outside of the cage as they can and do get cage agressive. He will also go into mating season and be a real bear!! A friend of mine is dealing with that right now. First hand experience ....I had to babysit him for 2 weeks and a couple times he got quite nasty with me and chased me...lol. They also need a huge huge enclosure when they get bigger....you can also find those recommendations as well as awesome feeding info on that website. I can tell you as well if you have any questions...you can call that guy. Super super cool and will help you anyway he can. He spent a good 2 hours with me on the phone talking to me about them. He is one of the highest recommended breeders of tegus out there.

[SlitherinSisters]

Awesome thanks for the info!!! In case anyone else needs the link I googled it http://www.varnyard-herps-inc.com/

Oh great I can't wait till he's old enough for breeding season.... That's really scary about the one that you babysat! I'll definitely have my family get in contact with him! He sounds nice, even his website says to call him!

[dembonez]

www.tegutalk.com is a great site aswell! there is a guide on there on how to tame a tegu!


i've been searching that site for a little bit now because i want a tegu ugh im sooo jealous of your little guy!!! so cute!

[BPelizabeth]

Tegu talk was started by the owner of Varnyard Herps.....

[dembonez]

Tegu talk was started by the owner of Varnyard Herps.....

was it? sweet! i just found it yesterday so idk sorry

[waltah!]

I know a guy with a big adult red that is the most chill lizard ever. Hopefully with some work this little guy will turn out the same way.
He's really cute for sure.

[BPelizabeth]

was it? sweet! i just found it yesterday so idk sorry

No biggie...just wanted to put it out there. Super awesome guy!!! Cannot give him enough props!!!!

Steph I am so jealous....I want one so bad but after my babysitting exp....it kind of freaked me out...lol