Like most lizards, tegus can in fact drop their tails. The good news is, they can also regenerate it. Tail dropping usually occurs as a result of injury, diseases such as tail rot, or stress. In the wild, lizards will drop their tail when they feel threatened, this is a natural response to being in the presence of a potential predator. If a bird grabs a lizard by their tail,… Read More »Tail dropping in Tegu lizards
There are different species of tegu lizards, some of which enjoy water more than others. The three species of tegu commonly kept as pets (salvator merianae, salvator rufescens and tupinambis teguixin) are terrestrial and prefer living on the ground. They are however highly adaptive to different kinds of environments, from rainforest to semi-deserts, and some individuals may enjoy bathing, whereas others do not. Another species known as the Caiman lizard… Read More »Do Tegu Lizards Like Being in Water?
Tegus have razor sharp claws and it can make handling them a painful experience, despite their tame disposition. Unlike cats, tegus are very unlikely to scratch you on purpose (tail whipping now, that’s a different story!), but if you are keeping one around the house you’ll still want to regularly trim their nails so you don’t look like you’ve been mauled by a big feline every time it climbs over… Read More »Tegu claws and nail clipping
One of the most crucial things you can do to properly care for a lizard is to set up an enclosure or terrarium which provides all the things it needs. A less than ideal habitat may result in serious health problems, stress and general unhappiness of your new pet. What exact supplies and equipment you will need largely depends on the species you are caring for, but most lizards actually… Read More »Pet lizard supplies & Checklist
Tegu lizards are notoriously docile and somewhat beginner-friendly reptiles to keep as pets (at least compared to other big lizards like monitors). There are however a few different species and morphs which may require more time and attention. As a rule of thumb, the salvator merianae (a.k.a. Argentine tegu) is the best choice for first timers and also the most common overall. The Colombian tegu (or Gold tegu) on the… Read More »Friendly tegu species & morphs for beginners
Tegus can eat fish, but feeding tuna should be done in moderation as it contains thiaminase that can reduce vitamin B1 absorption. Other fish options include salmon, tilapia, cod, and haddock, but fish should only make up a small part of the tegu’s diet.
Yes, you can feed tegu lizards both carrots and carrot tops. Tegus need a variety of vegetables as part of their diet, and carrots (including their leaves) are a very healthy choice thanks to their high amounts of vitamins and nutrients. Argentine black and white tegus and red tegus will need approximately 30% of their diet to be in the form of vegetables. For Colombian tegus / gold tegus, this… Read More »Can Tegus eat Carrots?
Tegu lizards can safely eat seafood such as shrimp, prawn, crab, and crawfish, which are a great source of protein and calcium. However, high sodium levels mean that seafood should not be fed regularly. It is important to take precautions such as feeding it raw, unshelled, and frozen to avoid impaction or choking hazards.
You may have heard that as far as big lizards are concerned, tegus make the best pets. It’s true – they are docile, smart, fun to keep around, and not dangerous to humans. But if you have cats, dogs or other small animals in your house, then you may wonder if it’s okay to let them play together with your tegu. Housing tegu with cats Tegu lizards are actually quite… Read More »Can you keep tegu lizards with cats and dogs?
Caring for a tegu lizard is in many way similar to caring for a small dog. These massive reptiles like to eat a lot and because of that dealing with their toilet habits can be unpleasant as a pet owner. Many people prefer to have their tegus do their business in the bathtub where it’s easier to clean. Luckily, tegus are intelligent animals that with some effort can successfully be… Read More »Tegu Poop Health & Potty Training