I was told that the temperatures in my area (Arizona) would be suitable for an outdoor pen, as long as shade and humidity could be regulated. I have a large fenced of area in the back yard (about 12 ft by 8 ft) that I think would make for a nice pen. It was suggested that aluminum siding could be used to prevent the tegu from climbing out, and I'm assuming a covering would be necessary to keep away owls or predatory birds. Has anyone tried this? Is it a bad idea? I was thinking perhaps the tegu would enjoy the natural sunlight and larger space.

Aren't tegus adept diggers? you'd probably have to lay concrete or risk losing him.

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i'd pen off part of your backyard and keep him in that. Maybe build soemthing out of wood and coated wire.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Haha, concrete? That would destroy the tegus feet and underside. Dig like a foot or two down all around and put wire mesh on the bottom, then put all the dirt back in and you won't have to worry about digging escapes. Aluminum, cardboard, and wooden boards will do fine along the sides. As for the top, You would want to put something over it at night. Get some tarp. It usually comes huge.

Thanks for all the suggestions, the surface is already concrete but Id probably put a layer of substrate for him to burrow in.

http://thetegu.com/Housing%20the...20Outdoors.htm

Yes some keep them on concrete. The Tegu would be a great place to find info on building outdoor enclousers.

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