Cage Size

CC · #1 (**permalink**) 06-24-2004, 02:21 AM

Would a 20L Terrarium be big enough for a newborn chacoan? If so how long would it last?

NicoleRussell · #2 (**permalink**) 06-24-2004, 09:33 AM

yeah for like a week

They grow pretty fast...your better getting something larger that will give you some time....if you get a hatchling and do not allow the animal to brumate then he will grow fast. Also hatchlings are more money then yearlings so---that's another factor. Do you own a 20 gallon now?

CC · #3 (**permalink**) 06-24-2004, 06:20 PM

Yes, my boa is in it now but she is about to get an upgrade. What size cage would a yearling need? I e-mailed Bert and he said the new borns are $60 and the yearlings are $75. About what size are the yearlings?

NicoleRussell · #4 (**permalink**) 06-25-2004, 02:27 AM

wow then times have changed

I think it might depend on Bert's availablity , how many hatch etc each season.
Get a green headed new born and use the 20 gallon. If you decide you want to go in this diection get a plastic show box filled with mulch,basking stone, water bowl and feeding bowl. one 100 watt MVB will fine perfect for day uvb and heat. after this goes off a CHE should click on to keep the burrow warm. No climbing items at all.

CC · #5 (**permalink**) 06-25-2004, 02:34 AM

I was wanting a male, and he said that he will not be able to sex them until Sept. So I I am going to wait unless i get a yearling. What size are the yearlings?

NicoleRussell · #6 (**permalink**) 06-25-2004, 02:43 AM

some can be 8 inches other are 12.....both of mine were yearlings

CC · #7 (**permalink**) 06-25-2004, 02:57 AM

What is there growth rate w/hibernation. What size enclosure will they need when they are full grown?

NicoleRussell · #8 (**permalink**) 06-25-2004, 10:47 AM

It takes an adult about 2.5 years to reach max size and without brumation it will take about 18 months.
It will be very difficult. seeing as you live in NYC. to allow them to have anything but a semibrumtion---you can't place them outdoors because the weather is too severe. If you leave them in their cage and let the household temps naturally drop without helping--you will need to do this in a step by step fashion and if you have never done anything like this it could be dangerous.
Also, being I'm sure your heat will fluctuate depending on whether your home or not this will ensure the need for a basking site somewhere within the cage which will also bring up the ambient temps. Without a basking site you run the risk of the animal looking for a needed UVB source with heat (like the sun) because of some digestive need unexpectidly and not finding it. This will cause and has caused death among some tegus.
It's much better to allow them to do as they will and provide them with what they would have outdoors.
If you plan on letting them out EACH DAY without fail----you can get by with a 6 x3 x2 cage. If you feel you can't always be there to allow them to roam--then replace the 6 with an 8.
Males will get a bit larger as a rule---but my female is bigger then her counterpart.
You can see pics of my setup and tegus in this forum (TEGUS)..the forum is fairly new so all the info is very accessible

There are also many photos in my yahoo group.

CC · #9 (**permalink**) 06-27-2004, 02:17 AM

How much was your Tegu cage?

CC · #10 (**permalink**) 06-27-2004, 02:21 AM

Is there any other place besides CBD that would sell Tegu cages? All I can find is Iguana and Chamelion type enclosures.

NicoleRussell · #11 (**permalink**) 06-27-2004, 02:27 AM

It was a gift so basically I wrote down what was important to me (custom top/waterproof floor/solid sides/no canisters or stand/ and color preference) and they paid for it. I can find out if you want or even better--you can go to CagesByDesign and use the BUILD YOUR OWN CAGE calculator to build yours and get a free quote.
To save money you can look at the SPECIALS, choose one, then add your own specs later.
Do yourself a favor though---stick with plexiglass slides and not glass---if you have a strong, pigheaded tegu it will be broken in no time

And no matter what cage system you get make sure it has a lock---my male knows how to open the sliding doors with his hand....

NicoleRussell · #12 (**permalink**) 06-27-2004, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC

Is there any other place besides CBD that would sell Tegu cages? All I can find is Iguana and Chamelion type enclosures.

funny you should ask---I just came across a place that will make cages cheap----if you go to a show you have no shipping costs:

(check out the terrarium section)
http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=V...ure&lPictID=67

CC · #13 (**permalink**) 06-27-2004, 10:49 PM

Would the 8'3'2 be big enough for 2? I am not planning on getting 2 until i get some experience with one. Would just like to know.

Shuba · #14 (**permalink**) 06-27-2004, 10:59 PM

Quote:

funny you should ask---I just came across a place that will make cages cheap----if you go to a show you have no shipping costs:

I found that site a while ago Nicole, I always planned on ordering one from them but Im sure shipping would be expensive. Most shows you go to will have terriums for sale $1 per gallon. Its still a great place to get a inexpensive 240 gallon from

NicoleRussell · #15 (**permalink**) 06-28-2004, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC

Would the 8'3'2 be big enough for 2? I am not planning on getting 2 until i get some experience with one. Would just like to know.

yeah that would be perfect. You should consider egtting the tegus together. For several reasons:
1) shipping just once
2) From the same place: same smell, less problems
3) Same size---niether being sexually mature so no territorial problems
4)yearlings can be sexed (Bert is great at making sure you have a pair at that age)
5)They grow together and you won't have to worry about sizing another one and then going through the hassle of them not getting along (two huge cages are not an option for some people). I know someone who went through rearing a baby seperately only for the not to get along when he finally put them together---there was no real reason either. He had to get rid of the seond one and it was hard to find a good home for him.

Think about it--most people end up with 2---it's like kismet

CC · #16 (**permalink**) 06-28-2004, 03:03 AM

I would like to get 2 but I do not want any babies at the moment and dont know when I will.

NicoleRussell · #17 (**permalink**) 06-28-2004, 08:46 AM

they will not produce babies as long as you keep them in your house (not brumation) all winter....they might go throught the motions that first sexually mature year but will not produce viable offspring.
if you want your tegus to breed you must allow them to have cycles EVERY year...one year missed means no breeding.

CC · #18 (**permalink**) 06-28-2004, 06:00 PM

So if they miss one brumation cycle they will never breed? That sucks. Why would they not go into it in the house. I thought they do it automatically if you dont keep them awake.

NicoleRussell · #19 (**permalink**) 06-28-2004, 10:16 PM

well 99% of the time they will not breed....and no one has had viable eggs when they have if they miss a cycle.
Mine attempted it but I'm not counting on anything (in fact I'm hoping for no babies--I never wanted to breed).....but I will bet my hands next year there is not even an attempt.
So no--if you are lookin to breed you really have to simluate their habitat---temps and all. And they aren't Aussie dragons in that one cycle wakes up their libido.

CC · #20 (**permalink**) 06-29-2004, 02:55 AM

Do they act different when there are two or does it not change anything?

Advertisement