I want a tegu - Page 2

NicoleRussell · #21 (**permalink**) 12-27-2006, 03:05 PM

That depends on how often you let the animal out.
In NY I had this huge enclosure at first. It was like 10' L shaped thing and it was for two BW argentines. But-- I let the tegus out so often they never used anything but the basking spot, the food area and the bury tote. So I chopped it down to 6 feet by 4 feet...I got the cage from cages by design...I had a storage tote from walmart on one side...filled with mulch...a ramp that led to the top. A huge paver under a quality bulb on the other side and a kitty litter pan in between. I left the cage open most of the time.
They were fine with that setup. It really depends on what your interaction habits will be.
Now when I moved-- I gave them the whole herp room which is the largest room in the house. I used the CBD cage as a basking station--I removed the doors.

crush · #22 (**permalink**) 12-27-2006, 03:20 PM

I would stay away from the Black throat. I love them dont get me wrong but that love almost killed me. I am not a fan of the Black Throat around kids. If you have never been bit by a Black Throat the first bite may not bother you. The secound bite is the problem. The first sets your body up for a reaction for the secound bite. I went into anifalectic Shock(spelling) and almost died. I still love the monitors I just cant own one. Some calm down and make great pets but alot dont. I dont think it would be fun to have a pet that you would have to worry about all that much. When the kids get older and move out I may try again but I cant take that chance with them here. I have heard great things about Tegus and I worry about them to.

RehabRalphy · #23 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 06:04 AM

To clear it up, Chacoans are the same as black and whites. They are just specifically bred to carry the white headed trait...

Some believe they are another locale.

RehabRalphy · #24 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpgt

OK, how big of an enclosure do you need for a 4' tegu?

MINIMUM of a 8'x4'x3'

RehabRalphy · #25 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 06:13 AM

If your wanting a "family" pet, get a dog. But if you would like to get a reptile that is handleable, get a Argentine black and white tegu. :P

I love tegus, don't get me wrong, but they can have an attitude. Yes, I've been bitten, tailwhiped, and scratched but I still love them. All tegus have different personalities. Just because you get an Argentine Black and White Tegu doesn't mean its going to be tame. It'll take a lot of time on your part to help make it more handleable. Heck (had to change my choice or wording

), I have a 3' male tegu who hates me and I've been working with him daily for a year but since hes asleep all that work is going to waste because when he wakes up, he wont be as tame as before he went down. Its basically a non-stop battle. Will he ever become 100% handleable? Probably not. But he's still a great pet. On the other hand, I have 2 very sweet and loving Argentine black and white tegu females. They came to me with great personalities. These girls were the offspring of very handleable tegus that you can see in the Tegu Attention video found across youtube, thetegu, siscoreptiles, and now here.

This brings me to another point. I believe, as well as other people, that the parents behavior plays apart in the babies personalities. My male tegu, which I've said has an attitude, came from unknown parents. My female tegus, which came from Rick Siscos extremely docile parents, are very very handleable. I really believe that the parents play a key roll in what the behavior will be in the offspring.

Sleepy_FF · #26 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crush

I would stay away from the Black throat. I love them dont get me wrong but that love almost killed me. I am not a fan of the Black Throat around kids. If you have never been bit by a Black Throat the first bite may not bother you. The secound bite is the problem. The first sets your body up for a reaction for the secound bite. I went into anifalectic Shock(spelling) and almost died. I still love the monitors I just cant own one. Some calm down and make great pets but alot dont. I dont think it would be fun to have a pet that you would have to worry about all that much. When the kids get older and move out I may try again but I cant take that chance with them here. I have heard great things about Tegus and I worry about them to.

anaphylactic

im sorry to hear about what happened. i hope you do get to own one, one day, but the moment you do, im gonna worry my fool head off!

Heidi · #27 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 03:13 PM

Thanks Rehab for the info. If (when) we go with a tegu I'll definitely be picky and probably go with a good tempered breeding pair like that. My husband has no problems with giving the pets loads of attention. That is what he does. I'm the feeder, waterer, cleaner and maybe get some loving in between. I'm more or less looking for something that my husband wants and trying to talk him out of a monitor and give him an alternative. I love iggy's but he is just not that crazy about them. I think it is a look thing, IDK.

I did read that the Chacoans are the white headed black and whites but from the info I read it seemed like they were saying they usually get bigger. Is this right? He wants something at least three feet and I say no more then 4.

I'll definitely be reading and hopefully find one to handle before I even seriously consider putting my name on a list or putting down any kind of deposit. I will not even consider one that I don't know the lineage because you're not the first I've heard that temperment info from. I appreciate all your information.

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