You can get a hatchling and that would buy you some time. If you hibernate her/him it will take about 2.5 years for the tegu to get large. If you do not hibernate it--this will happen in 18 months.
They hatch in August so if you buy one now it would be last years babies (but they have not grown too much because they have been in hibernation all winter)so it will be less expensive. Also a plus to buying last years stock is that they will be sexed. Most hatchling are not sexed and it's a tossup.
Also as a new owner and because the tegu is coming to a new home, it's best to get one now because if you wait---the animal will more then likely try to brumate in October. Then you will be a new owner with a sleeping tegu.
This happened to me and that is 70% of the reason i got Rocco. I was bummed because I had this cage...and a great animal....but all I saw was a mound of dirt.
And if you try to wake them they will not be very happy
Just email Bert (if that is where you get him from) and ask him to pick a small one for you.
Humidity is not an issue and long as the hidebox is moist. Temps and UVB are more of an issue.
What size cage will you start him in?
