New to Tegus

[Deven]

Hello everybody, I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm new to tegus and plan on buying an ardent one B&W in the coming year. I'm in the process of getting all the accommodations ready and plan on building a 5ft L X 3ft D X 3ft T. Of course this is just for the time being. I plan on making a build thread when I get started.

So, my stupid question is, what age tegu can I expect to find in February? I know I should be contacting a breeder with this question but I thought there would be someone on here that could help me out. I'd like to buy a hatchling to start out with and increase bonding time.

Anyways, I hope to be involved with some of the conversations on here and glad I found the forum.

 

[Walter1]

Welcome Devon. The cage sounds great. You might conider another foot on the turning around (depth) measurement. Will be easier when he/she is full grown.

Now, what about age in February? Babies will have been born the previous June-September. Rodney Irwin of Tegusonly might still have some. He also breeds them. He's a great guy with great stock.

 

[Deven]

Thanks for the input Walter. I was honestly think about making it 4ft deep and even marked it on my mock up.

As far as the age in February, I was just hoping I'd still be able to get a hatchling or young tegu that time of year. Through out my research I didn't look up anything about breeding habits or when eggs hatch and all that jazz.

Overall, I'm just hoping that I can get a pretty young tegu in February. I could try to get one earlier, but I'd like to run the vivarium for at least a month before to ensure everything is running well before introducing a tegu.

 

[Walter1]

Here's what's weird. Argentina seasons are opposite of ours by six months = imports in February would be early hatchings! Early because their breeding season in Argentina is much narrower than captive here.

So, for a February purchase, you'd either have to wait five months anyway for a 2016 hatchling or go with a 6-8 month old juvenile born in 2015. They live to be 20+ years old.

 

[Deven]

Thanks for the info! I guess a 6-8 month old wouldn't be too bad. Would it be possible to buy an import around that time? I understand the risk that come with them, but for some reason I'm set on getting a hatchling.

 

[Deven]

I'll probably end up contacting Rodney Irwin and getting a juvenile. I've heard nothing but great things about him and his tegus.

 

[Walter1]

Keep update on things.

I have three from him, purchased as around two years old. All friendly tame, one of which is especially cuddly, which only a tegu keeper can understand. Ha!

 

[Deven]

Will do Walter, keep an eye out for the enclosure build. I may only be able to make it 3 feet deep due to the doorways in my house. I know I'll be moving in the next 2 years at least and plan on just expanding the enclosure when my future tegu gets large enough.