monitor - tegu questions ?

[haroldo359]

we have been thinking about getting either a monitor or tegu. we really don't know what kind to even consider. we wanna make as informed a decision as possible. so give me some ideas. i don't want one that costs like 500 bucks. but, if i were gonna have to pay that to get the right one, that would be better than getting a cheaper one that we wouldn't like. so, what are good temperment wise? what are some good ones sizewise? we don't want a monster. and what size enclosure is gonna be appropriate? and what sort of feeding schedule do monitors or tegus require? gimme lots of options. thanks.

[joerissa]

Just don't get a Nile Monitor.LOL Pissy little critters!!!

[haroldo359]

lol... thanks for that tip. i have heard enough about them that i am not considering them.

[joerissa]

I really like the blue tegu's. Don't know alot about them but they are pretty.

[joerissa]

According to the site the typical adult size for a male Blue Tegu is 3 1/2' with females rarely exceeding 3'. Average weight for adults is 8 lbs or less here is a link if your interested.
www.bluetegu.com/blue.html

[haroldo359]

thanks, they look great.

[NicoleRussell]

I feel argentine's makes the best pets. Smart as a whip easy to train and they are a nice size. I would go through Bert (because I always try to go through Bert for all my lizards) http://agamainternational.com
Look under TEGUS for more info.
I would email him and ask him for a male chacoan from last year. This will save you money, and give you a beautiful specimen.
His personal email is: timo2@earthlink.net
Tell him your from RTB and Nicole gave you the addey.
He's really the best breeder for any animal.
I have also bought an animal from the St.Pierre's (bluetegu.com)---my Rhino came from there. They seem nice as well---but I have bought so many animals from Bert and each of them are thriving----he will always answer his email within a couple of hours too.
Blue tegus are smaller, and are not as hardy as the B/WH's. Rainbows are a cross of BLUE/RED and are again not as forgiving---reds require higher heat and more fruit and can have bad sheds if not monitored carefully. They get larger in weight but are shorter in length. If I was going to get another tegu it would be a red.
Stay away from Gold/Columbian tegus because you will most likely end up with a smaller version of the B/WH that will have the temperament of a nasty nile.
They are cheaper, and are often mislabled in pet stores. My local store hated tegus because of one Columbian import---until I told them just how sweet an argentine can be
Email Bert and ask whatever questions you want----he loves to talk (type)

[haroldo359]

k, thanks. what size enclosure does a argentine need?

[NicoleRussell]

Here's what mine looks like.
They start off small so you don't have to go this large for a little while---but you need to let them out everyday or else you need to go larger. 6 long by 2 high by 3 wide is the smallest....but if you let them out then going any larger is a waste anyway.
Most people who buy them will buy them because they want to hang out with them not lock them up so it's not a problem

[haroldo359]

nice setup nicole. thanks for all the info.

[reptilemama]

Hmm, now you guys have me thinking about getting one. Nicole, can you give us a rough idea of how much Bert charges for a baby or a yearling? I'll probably have to wait a while, because I'm hoping to sell my house and move into something bigger, but if I start planning now I'll know how much money I need to save. Also, I don't think I've read anything about humidity. Do they need high humidity? Or do they do ok with average humidity? (Which in my house would be around 50%.)

[haroldo359]

and what do you feed yours nicole, and how often?