Lizzie

Description

Tegu Husbandry Basics

Tegu, Keep in mind that when you bring them home, they will be approximately 5 inches in length, but will grow rapidly. The Blue Tegu will reach 2 feet within their first year. While you can get a smaller cage upfront, you should start to plan that larger, permanent enclosure immediately.

The small reptile you bring home will not stay that size for more than a few months and it can take a while to set up a tank to properly suit the needs of your new family member! You should start your new Tegu out in a tank that is at least 36 inches long by 24 inches wide by 24 inches tall. This should get you through the first 9 months of their life before it’s time for an upgrade.

When you upgrade to the final vivarium, it’s recommended that your adult Tegu be kept in an enclosure that is at least 8 feet by 4 feet by 3 feet, although larger is always recommended. A good rule of thumb is to have the length of the enclosure be at least one and a half times the length of your Tegu, including the tail. The larger the cage can be, the better it is for the mental and physical health of your reptile. This will almost certainly need to be a custom-built cage, so it is important to keep that in mind when purchasing your Tegu. Enclosures of this size can not be purchased at the local pet store.

You can also have your Tegu roam out of its cage for monitored playtime, or even have a pack and play set up for it to explore. These intelligent giants need frequent stimulation and it is recommended that their enclosures reflect their particular needs.

Tegu Physical Characteristics

The Blue Tegu is known for having a variation of blue, white, and black coloring that depends on the morph. The full coloring of this breed will not be reached until sexual maturity at 18 months. They can even be full white or platinum. More Albino Tegus are being bred from the Blue Tegu lineage than any other morph. Blue Tegus are also smaller than the other Tegu breeds, usually maxing out at 3 to 4 feet in length. These muscular reptiles are full-bodied and proportionate for their size. They also have smoother skin than some of the other Tegu morphs, who have a pebbly skin surface. They can live up to 20 years in captivity and are considered to be hardy companions with few health complications if their husbandry is correct.

Tegus are heavy-bodied reptiles with a long, broad tail that’s equal to the length of their body. Their powerful tails can be used to help anchor their body when exploring or to ward off potential enemies. They have been known to whip their tails like clubs when threatened. These terrestrial lizards are powerful reptiles with stout bodies, long tails, burly arms, and sharp claws. They have a beefy, long forked tongue that they use to smell the air around them. The males will have large pouches underneath their jaws called jowls. Jowls can take up to 4 years to fully develop and should be monitored as a way to indicate obesity, which captive Tegus are prone to.