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Red Tegu

Red tegu eating a banana

Red Tegu Care: Information, Enclosure Requirements, Diet & Health

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Red tegus belong to the species of salvator refuscens, which is quite popular in the pet trade and second only to the most common Argentine tegu (salvator merianae). True to their names, red tegus tend have a reddish skin which often looks almost like raw meat, and compared to black and white tegus they tend to get quite big in size. They are relatively easy to tame and make for… Read More »Red Tegu Care: Information, Enclosure Requirements, Diet & Health

Juvenile Argentine black and white tegu

Baby tegu care: Information, Enclosure & Diet Requirements

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Thinking of adopting a baby tegu? These lizards grow rather quickly and dramatically, with an adult male Argentine tegu reaching the size of a small dog (around 5 feet). In the first two years of their life, however, juvenile tegus are tiny and vulnerable, and they require additional care in order to stay healthy and thrive. If you have just adopted a tegu hatchling you are going to need to… Read More »Baby tegu care: Information, Enclosure & Diet Requirements

Northern Caiman Lizard (Dracaena guianensis) at the Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL

Do tegus like water?

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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 tegus like water?

Colombian tegu vs Red tegu vs Argentine tegu

Friendly tegu species for beginners

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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 for beginners

Toys for tegu lizards

Toys for tegu: how to entertain your pet lizard

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Tegus are highly intelligent creatures and as such, they need constant stimuli. Without sources of entertainment, they will get bored and unhappy, they will start showing signs of stress and could potentially even become aggressive, destroying everything in sight. Luckily, there are many ways to entertain your tegu, first of all by providing enough space for them to wander around inside their enclosure, and outside as well. When feeding, you… Read More »Toys for tegu: how to entertain your pet lizard

Tegu Morph

Argentine Tegu Morph & Hybrid List

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There are over 400 species of tegu lizards out there, but only a few are kept in captivity: the Argentine black and white tegu (salvator merianae), the Red tegu (Salvator rufescens), and the Colombian golden tegu (salvator teguixin). Despite their names, none of these species are limited to one color, and breeders have fun experimenting with genetic combinations in order to create rare, unique morphs. Below, a list of all… Read More »Argentine Tegu Morph & Hybrid List

Argentine Black and White Tegu

Names for Tegu

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Are you adopting a tegu lizard and looking for ideas on how to name your new pet? Have a look below for some inspiration, with our list of names suitable for black and white, red, blue and golden tegu of any gender. We selected a few names inspired by lizards, dragons, pop culture and mythology, or which we simply found to be especially suited or funny for a pet tegu.… Read More »Names for Tegu

Female Tegu vs Male Tegu

Male or female? How to sex your tegu

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Determining the gender of your tegu can be especially difficult in the case of hatchlings and juvenile lizards, but not impossible. Males have a single larger scale on the underside of their tail base on both sides of their cloacal vent; unlike females who miss this feature entirely. When handling your tegu, check if you can feel any small raised bump. Adult tegus aged 2 and 3 have much more… Read More »Male or female? How to sex your tegu

Tegu Care Sheet

Tegu Lizard Care – Information, Enclosure, Diet & Health

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Tegu lizards are terrestrial reptiles native to South America. They are somewhat similar in appearance to monitor lizards, of which they are distant relatives, the two animal families being an example of convergent evolution. Tegus are one of the larger species of lizard that can be kept in captivity and have become quite popular as pets in the US, UK and other parts of the world. These animals are appreciated… Read More »Tegu Lizard Care – Information, Enclosure, Diet & Health