B&W Tegu Enclosure

[me_wee_todded]

So i decided to get a B&W Tegu. Okay let me explain. I didnt just "decide" spontaneously. A coworker of mine is pregnant and cant keep "scooter" anymore. So i decided to help out and rehome scooter. Ive been sitting on this notion for over two months. During that time i was doing all the research i could. Ive learned alot over these last two months. But i realize i dont know everything. So i may be hitting yall up with questions everyonce in a while. But i digress.
Here are some pictures of the enclosure im planning on using.

Its a 300 gallon rubbermaid

In it is cypress mulch

The water source is around 4 gallons.

Thats me in there for scale. Im almost 6 feet tall.

This is my cousin. Hes also in there for scale, hes about 4'8''

I have an infared light and a UVB/UVA bulb in the second fixture. That garage stays around 90 degrees F. That infared bulb inconjucntion with the UVA/UVB bulb cranks that basking spot to around 108 degrees. Because of the moist mulch, it stays around 65-70% humidity in that tub. Im still in the process of building a hide box for scooter. It should be done by tomorrow.
If you all have some tips or constructive criticism i would appreciate it very much.

 

[Mike D]

i would only change a few things.

1) i would get the basking temp up higher. aim for around 120.

2) i would make the substrate deeper. tegues love to burrow. if you add in more mulch he will make his own burrow and the need for a hide box would not be needed IMO.

3) i would find a way to cover the top of the enclosure for a few reasons. you dont want him to get out. even if you spend days looking for possible ways for him to climb out he will find the one you missed. and you want to keep humidity and heat in. i know you said it stays around 65-70% but i dont think that is super accurate.

4) ditch the UVA/UVB bulb you have in the other dome fixture and switch to a regular florescent tube bulb. they cover more surface area.

5) i also see a bag of eucalyptus mulch in the background of one of the pics. make sure NON of that is mixed in witht he mulch. if i remember correctly it is not good for them.

also how big is he? that enclosure wil work but it wont work for long. tegus grow very very fast. there growth rate is acually very amazing. make sure you give him plenty of vitamins and supplements and keep him well fed.


Oh and...... i want pics!

 

[me_wee_todded]

1. Can Do
2. I put her in today. left for 30 minutes. Looked like she was gone. Looked all over the garage. (There really arent alot of hiding places in there at any rate) I started sifting through the substrate and she was in a burrow. the substrate itself was about a foot deep where she had burrowed. You really cant tell from the pics but it isnt really flat.
3. Me and my dad are working on a chicken wire cover. Shes in an garage and like i said it stays about 90 degrees in there all day and night, as such, im not too terribly worried about losing heat. The humidity does however worry me. I will spray the mulch down every other day, more if need be.
4.Shes going to be getting about 2 hours of natural sunlight outside, each day. Could i possibly get away with just using another heat source? If you feel that a flourescent tube will still be beneficial, i will get on it.
5.I used two handfuls. If i need to get it out i can.

Shes 3 years old. And about 38 inches long. From what i understand her growth rate is going to slow alot from here on out. And since she is a she, she really shouldnt get too much bigger. If i need to build an outdoor enclosure i certainly can do so. "I have the technology"(a billion brownie points to whoever gets the movie reference) As for dietary supplements im only planning on using calcium. Since shes going to get outside time everyday, im assuming she can get enough D3 that way. If not please correct me and i can start giving her some.

 

[me_wee_todded]

Also, im planning on using ground turkey and fruits as her main diet, is there anything else that i should include?

 

[AttackFish]

The occasional whole rat doesn't hurt.

 

[me_wee_todded]

That would help give em some calcium as well, correct?

 

[AttackFish]

Yup.
Whole animal protein.
Also, rather than feeding F/T feed thumped rats, so that tegu can get the full gut protein of the prey item.
F/T is nice, but I myself prefer thumped rats.No danger of it biting the animal yet it's still warm and will most likely kick about a bit due to muscle spazms.

That would help give em some calcium as well, correct?

 

[me_wee_todded]

Sounds good, the only problem with that, is that the only place in town that will sell live rats as feeders has banned me from their doors. Long story...

 

[AttackFish]

Sounds good, the only problem with that, is that the only place in town that will sell live rats as feeders has banned me from their doors. Long story...

Craigslist pets section.

 

[me_wee_todded]

Sounds good man.
"So your going to take real good care of Mickey right?"
"Oh yeah...Ill take care of Mickey no problem."