Keeping tegus: profile and care
A large, clever lizard – for experienced keepers
At a glance
- Adult size: Argentine tegus up to 1.4 m
- Suitable for beginners: no – for experienced keepers with plenty of space
- Notable: intelligent and quick to learn
The right vivarium
Very large: for a pair of Argentine tegus (snout-vent length 40–50 cm) at least 2.20 x 1.60 x 1.50 m – and the bigger the better. With hides, climbing opportunities and a suitable substrate.
Temperature, lighting & climate
- 26–35 °C depending on species, with a warmer basking area
- Night-time around 20–22 °C
- UVB lighting is important for their health
Feeding
Omnivorous: a varied mixture of animal and plant foods, fed regularly.
Temperament & handling
Intelligent, quick to learn and notably social – but a demanding animal for experienced keepers because of their size.