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!!!

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[haroldo359]

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

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[joerissa]

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

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[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

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[haroldo359]

thanks, they look great.

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[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?

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[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

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[haroldo359]

nice setup nicole. thanks for all the info.

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[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%.)

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[haroldo359]

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

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[NicoleRussell]

You can expect to pay around 100 ---if you want I can get a current price list because it's been a while. I know you can save around 20 (so it would be I *think* about 110 or 120 for a hatchling)for waiting the extra year and the animal would have been hibernating most of that time anyway---so it's not like they are all that much older. Remember their system shuts down in brumation---they do not grow. Like I said if you want me to get exact numbers I will. I really don't remember to be honest but that is the ballpark. I know Bert was always a little less expensive then Ron, and if you email him he will send you a current pricelist.
The prices go down in the fall but do yourself a favor and do not buy one then----the best time to buy one is now. They are awake and will stay awake until the fall. You really do not want a sleeping tegu coming in the mail. I went through it and it's no fun.
As far as food they eat everything from chicken gizzards to pork chops to turkey---practically any meat as adults. Whole prey are rodents and birds like chickens and quail. They love sweet potatoes and greens---berrys too. They will eat practically anything.
As babies, they eat crickets, supers and pinkies. Mine stopped eating insects fairly quickly though.
Basic size stuff---as they grow so does their prey.
Spring and summer they eat more. Mine will eat alot every other day and a little every day. In the colder months they will eat a little every other day.
They will brumate if anything at all triggers it even briefly until they are well established with you.
They are very easy to train. I just got some very cool dog halters for mine with stars and stripes leashes
Humidity is not an issue of you provide them with moist burrowing material. Basking is an issue though.
Alot of people will not let the animal bask enough under some good lights or outside---and the end results are tremors and syptoms leading to MBD or problems associated with it. People tend to forget they are lizards that require UVB--perhaps because they act so much like cats
They are not shy and will basically look at your house like it's theirs LOL
They are wonderful pets----they really are pets and not specimens. And they are great wiith children
For a first tegu I always say the same thing: Get a chacoan male. No egg retention problems ---larger animal (usually a rule but mine is actually a bit smaller then the female). But as a pair one of each is nice.
When a tegu gets scared or intimidated, the will shakes their tails exactly like a rattler.....and then they will hiss---then they will try to appear larger to frighten you....they almost stand on their toes and take a stance the way a monitor might.
All this is precusor to getting bit. I have never been bit. No one in my house has been bit and my tegus roam about all the time.
They are really nice animals.

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[NicoleRussell]

last years babies are 75---I just asked...I guess I was remembering the price with shipping. I believe shipping is 25 or 30....so, just to clarify.
Now hatchlings I didn't ask about---both my tegus are a "last years" batch.

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[Bry]

Nicole, you suggested that I get the same thing for a first tegu-- a chacoan male. Why is a chacoan male any better than a black-headed male?

Bry

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[haroldo359]

again, thanks nicole.

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[reptigirl04]

Do they have to brumate? Will they do it on their own? and How do you go about it?

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[NicoleRussell]

Chacoan's are usually preferred...they cost more at RSP's but I believe Bert charges the same for either color. The white heads are just so much more attractive....and *generally* they get a bit larger. But there are exceptions. If you were getting two I would say get one of each---but one? Chacoans are just beautiful looking male tegus.

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[captainmorgan]

I think the blue is better looking personally....don't know squat about them but....blue's my favorite color....good luck! and it's good to see somebody doing some research before buying...kudos!!

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[NicoleRussell]

reptigirl
Brumation with these guys is complicated. If you wanted to do it outdoors (if your weather is similar to Alabama) it would be pretty easy though.
Indoors becomes complicated only because you have to control temps, be sure their tummy's are empty by depleting food slowly and providing a basking site somewhere just in case they awake and need to do it. Many people kill their pets by putting them in boxes in the basement ofr the winter--not realizing the animal has a bit of food left in it's system....
Out doors, you just be sure they do not get frost---and the sun will do the rest.
But you need certain temp ranges.
They will fall into brumation if your ambient house temps fall or drop--it will triger their natural response. After a few seasons they will adjust to your home.
Many people panic when their tegu falls into semibrumation.....doesn't eat as much...sleeps alot --people might try to force feed out of ignorance.
If it happens and your temps are right--just leave the animal alone.
Keep the temps steady and the following year the animal will be more active.
Nomatter what though---there is more activity in the spring and summer

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