Tegu Q's

[Onion01]

My experiences (or near experiences) with tegus haven't quite gone the way I wanted them to. The first time I never left the planning stages. The second time I started building an outdoor enclosure when, mysteriously, someone stole all my lumber
Well, I suppose it was a good thing I didn't get started then, because I'm slowly realizing how little I know about keeping reptiles. I've done a lot of reading, both books and online, and feel confident enough to get into the rep hobby. I want to start with tegus, specifically the argentine black and white. I'm planning a 10x4 enclosure for now for some. Here are some initial questions I have (more to follow)

1) how high should it be? 3 ft good?
2) how should I fence it off? normal fencing? solid wall? netting?
3) substrate? what kind, how deep?
4) how many in that enclosure, what ratio m:f?
5) how's my design?

Thanks guys, specifically Varanio, who I felt I've abused with all the help he's given me and the little i have to show for it. sorry V

 

[Aquai]

Hey i won't be much help, but thought i'd mention i love your sketch of a tegu =p

I've got an argentine myself, and they're great pets. Are you looking at breeding them?

 

[Onion01]

Hey i won't be much help, but thought i'd mention i love your sketch of a tegu =p

I've got an argentine myself, and they're great pets. Are you looking at breeding them?

just keeping for now. how do you keep yours? how big is it?

 

[rmorse]

Your design looks good. If you look closely at the pic, you can see the tegu is smiling. He is obviously happy with his setup. Thats how you know its good.

 

[rmorse]

The enclosure looks plenty big, but I have never had a tegu before. However, I do like how it is setup. Remember, they love to dig, and they have sharp claws. I would do plywood sides.


Substrate? I believe alot of people use cypress mulch.


Once again, don't take what I am saying for law, as I have never had a tegu before.

 

[rmorse]

Oh yea, and they need high humidity.

 

[evilxyardxgnome]

Is it going to have a top? Predators with wings would not pass up a tegu out in the open. Also, do Tegus climb? I know they are like monitors so I am just figuring. I have no actual experience with them but an enclosure seems more appropriate then a fenced off area. Looks more like something from Jurassic Park. And that didn't even keep in a T-Rex.

 

[Onion01]

Is it going to have a top? Predators with wings would not pass up a tegu out in the open. Also, do Tegus climb? I know they are like monitors so I am just figuring. I have no actual experience with them but an enclosure seems more appropriate then a fenced off area. Looks more like something from Jurassic Park. And that didn't even keep in a T-Rex.

it is going in my garage. humidity there is high, and no predators

so, you think a solid wall would be better than fencing?

 

[varanio]

Add another foot or two, of climbing space. Make the enclosure like an aviary so that the top is also fenced in. This will help deter predators like Racoons, housecats, birds of prey. The design looks good, and you can use plastic mesh, the sell it at lowes or homedepot. First build the skeleton, out of treated wood, pvc, or water proof metal. Remember we live in S fl and things will rot/rust mcuh quicker than anywhere else. Give them about 2 feet dirt, with that foot print you would be fine with a pair or a trio.

 

[Onion01]

Add another foot or two, of climbing space. Make the enclosure like an aviary so that the top is also fenced in. This will help deter predators like Racoons, housecats, birds of prey. The design looks good, and you can use plastic mesh, the sell it at lowes or homedepot. First build the skeleton, out of treated wood, pvc, or water proof metal. Remember we live in S fl and things will rot/rust mcuh quicker than anywhere else. Give them about 2 feet dirt, with that foot print you would be fine with a pair or a trio.

okay, cool. Just regular dirt? not special mulch? and the enclosure should be 5 ft high with covered top? even in a closed garage?