I have 3 redtail boas and 1 Brazilian rbw board and was thinking about getting a Retic or a Burmese python then I seen someone trying to get rid of a Tegu witch was spoken for but started reading up on these and makes want one better temperment not as expensive to feed, and I have cats and dogs too! Tegus ignore a lot but are not really "friends" with most other pets. great stuff!!! Black and white tegus are native to Argentina, far away from the likes of South Carolina and Georgia where they’ve been spotted. Scientists create 'nasty bacteria' fighter from Komodo dragon blood. Others have the same superstition about humans. His bowls belong only to him. The background colour of most species is black. I have worked around Tegus since the mid-1970s but always thought there was another type of lizard or snake that would fit my family even better. The lizard species can’t get with the other animals at the house. I hope you have changed his diet so he can heal naturally. If you just want an animal for breeding this may be an option but do not plan on touching him, and certainly, do not imagine that he is going to want to sit on your lap. INTRODUCTION: Tegus are native to Central and South America. anyone know where i can????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? If he feels too stressed out by your handling, or you have another pet that is too interested in him, he should be able to climb up and get back into his enclosure. When he climbs back into his cage, I take the leash off. This little guy hatched in 2012. Do you know where I can find someone who can build the cage for me? I have experience with many animals not fully lizards but i been reading about the tegu and i perfer it i know everyone says i should start with a gecko but im 20 something so i think i can handle it since i read alot about animal care and study for it do u think a black and white tegu would be fine. More On: lizards. To make matters worse he tells me he has a hard time handling it because it is so aggressive. Tegus are not like a dog or cat in that they cannot be trusted with small animals. This has made extremely interesting reading. - Off leash Studios photo If lizards could talk, Joe, the tegu, would have many stories to tell. It is important that you keep a thermometer to monitor the heat in his enclosure, and allow him to have a colder and a warmer area to move about in. The Tegu lizard is a large lizard which belongs to the Teiidae family, and there are eight species of Tegu Lizards. See my chart above for details on feeding. Most of the enlcosures recommended are larger, so even if you get a baby remember that these guys get really big, and if you do not have the space a small lizard is better. Question: Would a huge dog crate be good for a white and black Tegu to stay in at night? I leave his leash on and tie him to a banana tree so that he´ll have some shade. If you are concerned about feeding those little lizards, however, a Tegu is a lot better. Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on February 22, 2017: Ethan, as long as you have plenty of wood shavings or leaves he will dig down and feel secure and happy. What is the size of a argentine black and white tegu? Tegus do resist training, though, just like a cat. Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on June 20, 2020: Bryant, they are great swimmers but not as much as the green iguana. Question: Is there a good book available for a lizard owner? If it gets too frigid in winter, they can brumate, the reptile version of hibernation, becoming sluggish and hiding out in burrows they’ve stolen from gopher tortoises or other burrowing animals. Leave the cage open all the time with plenty of wood shavings as bedding and when he feels the need he can just go in there, burrow down, and escape from it all. 0. I wonder what those animals think? The background colour of most species is black. Question: Would a Tegu try to eat a maltipoo or slightly larger poodle mix? The Argentine tegu, a species of dog-sized lizard, has a growing wild population in the southastern United States, threatening local ecosystems. And, for preparation, do they show any signs of illness? A normal cage will do for that. Also you will not need to brush teeth. If you are into that sort of thing, of course!!!! If you are not able to leave a comment without swearing then I am not going to post it. Thanks! Even when my lizards are not eating I open the cage every day, peek in to check on them and will usually put some food in there about once a week. It is unclear how they were released into the wild, but tegu lizards are legal as pets in many states, so it's possible a domestic lizard was released, on purpose or accidentally. This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Tegus get pretty large, which is why they are not the best pet for people that do not have room. What about them as the best pet? We sadly lost our 9yr old Bearded Dragon (Noddy) very recently following a short illness and a friend told me to look up about the Tegu. Tegus - The Argentinian lizard. The species Tupinambis teguixin, also known as golden tegu, common tegu, black tegu, and Colombian tegu, comes with a glossy body. South Carolina has documented its first black and white tegu lizard, a species popular in the pet trade, in Lexington after a SCDNR social media post in May informed the public about the non-native lizard already established in both Georgia and Florida, likely as a result of release or escape. You are probably already familiar with them since you have bearded dragons. The bedding needs to be sprayed to stay moist, and Tegus like to get in the water when they can (just like Iguanas and Basilisks). Hi I was wondering if you meant he actually had to be able to go down/dig in his cage and I was also wondering if it is discouraged to own one of these in southern canada. Question: What does a Tegu cost and how much does it take to feed them each month? Answer: No, tegus do not really like it when it is cool in the house. Thank you. (I had never seen him before.) The Argentine black-and-white tegu has made its way to the United States' southeast, and experts are warning about the harmful impacts it could have … Answer: Your Tegu will need to live inside your house throughout the whole year anyway, so there is no difference during the winter. The smell is the biggest concern for me and if there is a health hazard for my son in sharing a room with it. Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on December 12, 2013: Thanks grand old lady! Mona Sabalones Gonzalez from Philippines on December 11, 2013: I don't really like reptiles, but I was interested in learning about tegus and why they are great pets. This lizard expects a bit more personal space than an average lizard owner provides. I personally think the brown-eyed specimens may have the stronger genes, … Thank you. A cat will take care of her own needs first. He is large! They do not bite if handled, but in the wild, they use their teeth to defend themselves against dogs and other animals that attack them. Question: What is the friendliest, tamest and most docile type of Tegu? Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on September 18, 2016: Heather, potentially all reptile pets can carry salmonella, but it is not really an issue unless you are immunocomprimised, like to give your Tegu open mouth kisses, or are used to sharing a feeding dish with your Tegu. Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on May 02, 2016: Okay I'm convinced that I will be getting a Tegu Monitor! If you are looking for a source find someone in your area that sells the lizards and find out if there are any local laws. Is a tegus a beginner , I don't want a gecko because I find them boring I want something I can hold I know people say go for a beardie but I love seeing and looking a tegus and researching them. Tegus are widely revered for being one of the smartest reptiles. Friends? If you are among the millions who climb into bed every night dreaming of the best pet, I have the answer you have been looking for. Mais... Teguworld@gmail.com. I took care of a pair of Tegus when I was 12. They are then given to people who want them as pets. I live in New Jersey in a town called Montville, I live in New Jersey in the town Montville, I live in New Jersey and the town I live in is Montville. I have heard of a case of a young boy gettig salmonella from kissing his turtle. Meanwhile, a few biologists have cautioned against owning these animals at all. Pet lizard missing from downtown Toronto found in Stoney Creek five months later Social media key in bringing Joe, the tegu, home News Nov 25, 2020 by Joanna Lavoie Toronto.com. Argentine tegus, which can reach lengths of up to 4 feet when fully grown, are not native to Georgia. Check my Pinterest page when you get a chance. I think my house is currently capped with three dogs, and I don't know much about caring for a lizard, but for someone who does, this is a very educational hub. These particular lizards are uncommon among tegu pet owners when compared to the other varieties. In Georgia, 30 documented tegus … I have seen Tegus bite dogs on the nose, but only when defending themselves. Claudia Mitchell. Tegus ignore a lot but are not really "friends" with most other pets. Answer: They do not have a real hibernation, just a period of reduced activity during our winter. The Argentine black and white tegu, Salvator merianae, is a species of lizard in the family Teiidae. Question: How would I train or at least show a Tegu who is the boss? They are intriguing and give insight into the world of cold-blooded animals. Answer: I do not think it is a matter of being meaner. I was given Dobie Houson's book Devotion which is about communication with our pets. Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on February 12, 2020: Lynn, no, it is not necessary. The lizards also live 15 to 20 years and can lay up to 30 eggs a year. During that time, some two million tegu skins were exported from Argentina each year for the leather trade. They are small, easy to care for, easy to cage and handle. I am sure your Tegu will enjoy him. As far as illnesses go, no, they do not show many signs. Lizards belonging to the family Teiidae are known as tegus. Grayson, no, I do not know where to buy a cage since most people build something to suit the space. In Venezuela, they’re known for sneaking into chicken coops to steal eggs, earning them the name el lobo pollero, “the chicken wolf.” U.S. poultry farmers should be on guard. If you guessed Argentine black and white tegu lizards, you’re probably either a herpetologist or a resident of the Peach State who has helped wildlife officials track and trap these invasive reptiles. Hi again, Yes, I'll certainly check out Pinterest for your tegu pics. If tegus eat baby alligators, wouldn't it be good for them to be introduced into Florida everglades? “We want to help take them out of the habitat as humanely as possible. Lizards—you either love them or hate them, but the reality is that many people keep them as pets. Question: Where do the Tegus that roam your house poop? According to the animal behaviorist Patricia McConnell, one of the big differences between dogs and cats is the way they treat food. Researchers are most concerned about tegus’ predatory, egg-eating habits. Tegus can eat anything that provides them nutrition. In the meantime, the info you offer about animals is great. They are not an endangered species. He works mostly with dogs and exotic animals. If your house is cool, do not be surprised if your Tegu goes under your bed or another dark spot to curl up. I don't have a lot of knowledge/experience with the Tegu. Does that mean that only experienced people should get dogs? Only the experienced peoples can get these species as their pet. Is there anything that can be done at this point to calm the tegu down so he can handle and enjoy having it and not be afraid of it every time he opens the door to feed it? Answer: Tegu lizards are common. •Are tegus Agressive towards dogs generally, or can a bond be formed from a young age? If you do not handle your Tegu, they can become aggressive. :-) Not the worms and cat food though..... Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on January 04, 2015: Thanks so much for that nice comment, Teresa. Do you know where to buy a big tagu cage and do you know what it’s like when a tagu hibernates, I would but we can’t build a cage big enough for for a tagu we can’t even build a wall let alone a whole cage for a tagu. Are they also prone to heatstrokes? Tegus – unlike some other lizard species – will readily drink from a water dish, making it easy to address their water needs. See more ideas about tegu lizard, tegu, lizard. Tegus – unlike some other lizard species – will readily drink from a water dish, making it easy to address their water needs. Adams also worries that they might eat the eggs of gopher turtles—another threatened species—American alligators, American crocodiles, and more. Some people call it the Argentine tegu. A study of what wild Tegus eat showed that about 2/3 of their stomach contents was actually plants and only a third made up of things like snails, crabs, and other small animals. Some varieties of tegus are particularly kind, affectionate, and easy to care for. Answer: They do not interact that much with people, so a good pet if you want to look but not mess around with the pet much. Just seems to be a great pet! Success! If you are giving calcium supplement make sure it is only sprinkled onto his food. If you provide too many hiding spots, it is possible to make your Tegu too shy. They are famous for their big size and for preying on others. I too think you should write a book. Answer: Even if you do not have experience taking care of a lizard, a Tegu is still a good animal to start out wtih. Daniel Sollenberger, a herpetologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, says the state may have caught the tegu problem in time. Can they be trained to poop & pee at a certain location and what I need to do to train them? Answer: According to the website tegutalk.com it is legal to keep them as pets in California. The Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae), also commonly called the Argentine giant tegu, the black and white tegu, the huge tegu, and lagarto overo in Spanish is a species of lizard in the family Teiidae. The gold tegu belongs to the family Teiidae, genus Tupinambis. Tegu Gear. To do this, they have radio-tagged the lizards and are tracking their habits. Question: As a first reptile pet for a six-year-old, would you suggest an Argentinian B & W over a bearded dragon? If you let your Tegu out to run around make sure that the cage is open so that he or she can go back in to a warm area whenever he wants. Im giving him calcium powder daily and calcium/d3 supplement 2x weekly. The animal will revert to being wild if it is not socializing with his family. Grayson, it really depends on how much space you have. Question: I am a reptile lover. I would lobs to hear your story. Tegus are the best pet lizard! Like your artical very much . Dr Mark (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on May 01, 2020: Grayson, I do not know anyone in your town. Hearing from people like you makes all of this effort worthwhile. Tupinambis spp, a relatively smaller lizard, is called blue tegu because of its light blue coloration. A pet Tegu is more like a cat. 786-357-2969. 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