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General comments about Tegus
Obviously most of the Tegu varities available in the pet industry are rather large. The Argentine Black and whites are three to four foot as adults, and can leave some rather nast claw marks and tail lashes.
I personally have experience with an adult pair of B&Ws, and they are AWESOME animals. I'd very easily say that they are as smart as cats, but a little more difficult to take care of. The shear amounts of food to keep them nice and fat can be a little staggering, but its nice that they will eat anything thrown at them, From greens like Iggies, to live rodents (mice, rats, small rabbits, etc...). On many occasions we fed leftover steak scraps, fat trimmings from roasts, so on and so forth.
I personally look forward to getting a pair of blue tegus, which are one of the few that can be kept on an entirely protein diet. Starting them as babies on Superworms and large crickets, and eventually moving them upto mice and rats as adults. Granted, they will still get some fruits and the like to round out their meals, but mainly we're looking at protein only.
Red tegus on the other hand, require 90% vegtables and fruits. If not fed properly, they get some really nasty skin problems. Looking at a red tegu is awesome, but they can be HUGE! I've seen pictures of males that are 4-5' long and 25+ pounds. Not even close to a beginner animal, and I'd say that most people shouldnt even bother with them, lol. Awesome critter, PITA husbandry.
I was reccomended that I Pick up a pair of B&Ws, but for some reason, I feel that the blues are going to be my calling. I'm also thinking that a 4' deep, 8'long and 6' tall cage would be fun to build for housing.
Any one else interested in aquiring some tegus?
Paul
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