Argentine tegus make great pets if you are willing to properly care for them. In captivity they can live up to 15 years which means it’s a long commitment. If you do decide to bring this wonderful pet home then you will need a few things to setup its enclosure.
Below is the list of supplies you will need for tegus to take proper care for them.
Enclosure
For a hatchling you will need at least a 40-gallon enclosure but that will need to be upgraded to a bigger enclosure in about a year time. Because tegus grow very quickly. That why we recommend building the finale enclosure from the beginning. For an adult tegu a 6x2x2 enclosure is recommended. But always remember the bigger the enclosure the better.
Substrate
Tegus love to burrow that’s why you will need a lot of substrate for them completely burry itself in. We recommend cypress mulch as it holds humidity really well. You should get pure cypress mulch as opposed to a blend.
Thermometer
Tegus are tropical reptiles and require warm temperature. Their ambient temperature needs to be between 80 and 90 degrees while the warmer spot needs to be between 95 and 110 degrees. To gauge the temperature correctly, you will need to place a thermometer inside the enclosure.
UVB Lights
Tegus just like most of the other reptiles require UVB light to digest their food. That is why you will need to install a full spectrum UVB light inside their enclosure. The 150 watt power bulb works best for tegus.
Hygrometer
The humidity level inside the tegu enclosure should be between 75 and 90%. You can do many things such as misting the substrate to keep the humidity level where it should be. You can also use an automatic humidifier in the enclosure. To gauge the humidity level correctly you will need a hygrometer installed inside the enclosure.
Water Dish
A freshwater bowl should be available inside the enclosure at all times. The water bowl should be large enough for the tegu to go inside of it and soak.
Food
Tegus love ground Turkey, fish cut into bite sized chunks, eggs, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, tomatoes, melons and insects all cut down into bite sized pieces. You will need to dust all their food with calcium powder with D3. You can also get canned food for them for a few bucks.
