Argentine Tegu
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== Basic Info == | == Basic Info == | ||
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=== Size === | === Size === | ||
Please contribute to this section. | Please contribute to this section. | ||
== Feeding == | == Feeding == | ||
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=== Diet === | === Diet === | ||
Like monitors, tegus can become obese in captivity. It is noted that the Argentine Tegu is an omnivore in the wild, but in my experience, they show preference for certain foods. I have offered my tegus iguana salad, which they did eat, but not enthusiastically. I have also tried fruits, such as mango and papaya, which they were not too keen on either. Staple diet includes 4-6 adult mice a week, supplemented with superworms and ground turkey. My two tegus also loved tearing into the leftover turkey from last Thanksgiving. They are not difficult to feed, but special care must be taken to ensure that they do not become obese. | Like monitors, tegus can become obese in captivity. It is noted that the Argentine Tegu is an omnivore in the wild, but in my experience, they show preference for certain foods. I have offered my tegus iguana salad, which they did eat, but not enthusiastically. I have also tried fruits, such as mango and papaya, which they were not too keen on either. Staple diet includes 4-6 adult mice a week, supplemented with superworms and ground turkey. My two tegus also loved tearing into the leftover turkey from last Thanksgiving. They are not difficult to feed, but special care must be taken to ensure that they do not become obese. | ||
Please note that the tegu can become "food-aggressive." They can and will associate the keeper with food. Many people will feed the tegu outside the enclosure to prevent this, but I prefer just to place the food inside the enclosure after dark. When the tegu (which is diurnal) wakes up, the food is there waiting for him. I try my best to never let the tegu see me with food. | Please note that the tegu can become "food-aggressive." They can and will associate the keeper with food. Many people will feed the tegu outside the enclosure to prevent this, but I prefer just to place the food inside the enclosure after dark. When the tegu (which is diurnal) wakes up, the food is there waiting for him. I try my best to never let the tegu see me with food. | ||
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=== Supplements === | === Supplements === | ||
=== Hydration === | === Hydration === | ||
| + | Also, tegus love water. Always make sure they have a big heavy bowl of fresh water. They will spill it, flip it over, and excavate mulch into it, but only after they have sucked down at least half of it. | ||
== Advanced == | == Advanced == | ||
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=== Sexing === | === Sexing === | ||
Sexing these lizards is difficult without probing. Visually, males tend to be heavier, larger, and develop jowls when sexually mature. Lizards may reach anywhere from 3 to 5 feet total length. | Sexing these lizards is difficult without probing. Visually, males tend to be heavier, larger, and develop jowls when sexually mature. Lizards may reach anywhere from 3 to 5 feet total length. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
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=== Websites === | === Websites === | ||
Please contribute to this section. | Please contribute to this section. | ||
This article was written by [http://www.thereptilefile.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=9 snakewrangler]. | This article was written by [http://www.thereptilefile.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=9 snakewrangler]. | ||
View other articles by [http://www.thereptilefile.com/wiki/index.php?title=Category:snakewrangler snakewrangler]. | View other articles by [http://www.thereptilefile.com/wiki/index.php?title=Category:snakewrangler snakewrangler]. | ||
| + | Please note that others may have contributed to this article. | ||
This care sheet is based on my experiences and what specifically works for my tegus. I have not included a section on breeding/reproduction because it is so rarely done in captivity and because the gender of my tegus are still unknown. Both animals came from Sean Casey Animal Rescue on Long Island, NY, and were acquired for the purpose of rehabilitation only. | This care sheet is based on my experiences and what specifically works for my tegus. I have not included a section on breeding/reproduction because it is so rarely done in captivity and because the gender of my tegus are still unknown. Both animals came from Sean Casey Animal Rescue on Long Island, NY, and were acquired for the purpose of rehabilitation only. | ||
[[Category:Care Guides]] | [[Category:Care Guides]] | ||
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[[Category:snakewrangler]] | [[Category:snakewrangler]] | ||
