The Crocodile Tegu, scientifically known as Crocodilurus amazonicus, is a fascinating reptile that belongs to the Teiidae family.
This semi-aquatic lizard, also referred to simply as crocodilurus or jacarerana, is native to the Amazon Basin and the Guiana Shield in South America.
With its unique flattened, paddle-like tail, the Crocodile Tegu showcases its remarkable adaptation for an aquatic lifestyle.
Crocodile Tegu Care Sheet
| Common Name | Crocodile Tegu |
| Scientific Name | Crocodilurus amazonicus |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
| Size as Adult | Up to 4 feet in length |
| Weight | Around 4-6 pounds |
| Diet | Carnivorous – insects, amphibians, reptiles, fish |
| Enclosure Size Requirements | At least 4 feet long and 2 feet wide |
| Enclosure Temperature Requirements | 80-90°F (27-32°C) during the day, with a cooler side |
| Humidity Requirements | Moderate to high humidity (60-80%) |
Husbandry and Enclosure Requirements
Creating a suitable enclosure is vital for the well-being of your Crocodile Tegu. Provide an enclosure that is at least 4 feet long and 2 feet wide to accommodate their active nature.
A secure lid is necessary as these lizards are adept climbers and may attempt to escape. The enclosure should have a combination of land and water areas to allow for their semi-aquatic lifestyle. Provide ample hiding spots such as rocks, logs, and vegetation.
Maintaining the proper temperature gradient is crucial. The ambient temperature should be around 80-90°F (27-32°C) during the day, with a cooler side for thermoregulation.
Utilize heating elements such as heat mats or ceramic heaters to achieve the desired temperature range. A UVB light source is also necessary to provide essential ultraviolet radiation for their overall health.
Crocodile Tegus require moderate to high humidity levels ranging from 60% to 80%.
This can be achieved by misting the enclosure regularly and providing a water feature or shallow pool for bathing and hydration.
Monitor the humidity levels using a hygrometer to ensure they remain within the appropriate range.
Dietary Needs and Feeding Schedule
In the wild, Crocodile Tegus have a diverse diet consisting of various prey items. They are opportunistic predators and feed on a range of creatures they encounter in their habitat.
Some of the common prey items for Crocodile Tegus in the wild include annelids (segmented worms), arachnids (such as spiders), blattaria (cockroaches), decapods (crabs and shrimp), coleoptera (beetles), diptera (flies), hemiptera and homoptera (true bugs), hymenoptera (ants and bees), odonata (dragonflies), orthoptera (grasshoppers), grillidae (crickets), scorpiones (scorpions), larvae, lizard skin, gastropods (snails), plant material, spider sacs, birds, fishes, and snakes.
When keeping Crocodile Tegus in captivity, it is important to replicate their natural diet as closely as possible.
A well-balanced diet for a captive Crocodile Tegu typically consists of a variety of prey items, including appropriately sized insects (such as crickets, mealworms, and roaches), feeder fish, small amphibians, and occasionally small rodents.
It is essential to ensure that all prey items are gut-loaded or properly supplemented with calcium and other essential vitamins and minerals to maintain the health and well-being of the Tegu.
Feeding frequency may vary depending on the age and size of the Crocodile Tegu. Juvenile Tegus may require daily feedings, while adults can be fed every 2-3 days.
It is recommended to offer a portion of prey that is equivalent to the size of the Tegu’s head. Monitor their body condition and adjust the feeding schedule accordingly to avoid overfeeding or obesity.
It is important to note that Crocodile Tegus are active foragers, so providing environmental enrichment by incorporating live prey items and encouraging hunting behavior can be beneficial for their physical and mental stimulation.
However, always ensure that the prey items offered are safe and appropriate for the Tegu’s size and health.
Remember to provide fresh, clean water at all times for drinking and soaking purposes. Additionally, it is recommended to dust the prey items with a reptile-specific calcium supplement to ensure adequate calcium intake and prevent metabolic bone disease.
Things to consider
When it comes to availability, Crocodile Tegus are not commonly found in the pet trade. They are a species that requires specialized care, which limits their availability compared to more common reptile pets.
Their restricted distribution in the wild further contributes to their rarity in captivity.
In terms of pricing, the Crocodile Tegu’s uniqueness and scarcity are reflected in their cost.
Individual Crocodile Tegus listings online range from $5,499.99 to $12,499.99.
The rarity and price of Crocodile Tegus stem from multiple factors. Their specialized care requirements, limited availability in the pet trade, and the overall demand for these captivating reptiles contribute to their higher price range.
Additionally, factors like breeding success and conservation efforts also play a role in their rarity and subsequent pricing.
PetsWithScales.com is an informational website about big lizard pet care. We collect and provide information from different sources across the web on how to keep and care for reptiles as pets. The species we mainly deal with are tegus, monitor lizards, skinks and geckos. Our aim is to provide high quality information to help pet owners make better, more informed decisions about their animal’s diets, health and life.