Wonderful forum! Questions and complements!

[Compnerd7]

Hi all!

I am fortunate to find this forum just in time before my purchase of my first Tegu. I have much experience owning and breeding lizards, snakes, frogs, turtles, turanchulas, scorpions and many other invertebrate / vertebra creatures; but have never before owned a Tegu ( or a monitor for that fact ).

7 months ago I fell in love with a friends 2 year old Argentine Black and White Tegu, and decided then that I was going to get one of my own. Sence then, I have read up on nearly everything there is to know on owning and caring for one ( I like to do more then my share of homework on any creature I decide to get ). The main reason I love the B&W Tegu is because of it's size, growth rate, and demeanor. 3 days from for is a large Reptile convention in my area ( southern California ) and I decided 7 months ago that this convention is where I would purchase my Tegu. This is the main issue I am having, and some last questions I have...

As I do love the B&W Tegu, I am second guessing myself my species choice of Tupinambis merianae. In your experience, is there a more colorful species of Tegu that is as " docile " and trainable as the Argentine Black and White? What would YOU ( as a Tegu owner ) suggest, what is YOUR favorite, and WHY?

I currently have a custom cage that is 5'X2'X1.5' and am currently in the process of building a cage that is 8'X3'X3' so space is not an issue. Also, I have been putting money aside for this lizard for quite a while now so money is not an issue.

I have 3 days left to make my mind up on what species to get, so your timely responses will be very helpful.

I am greatful to find all the wonderful information in this site that has fine tuned my knowledge of Tegus, thanks to all of your for sharing it!

 

[jumper123]

I think everyone on here will say the blue is a gorgeous tegu it's Also rare. The all American Bobby breeds are gorgeous! And all pretty much the same temperament.. Although ever tegu is different. There is Also reds which are more common and a little cheaper than the blues.

 

[kellen.watkins]

Id say it depends on the tegu, I have 3 different tegus a red, a extreme giant, and a blur red cross and they are all completely different in personality and temperment my red probably having the best.

 

[james.w]

A recommendation about buying from an expo, make sure you are getting an Argentine and not a Columbian.

As far as what color to get, if you are looking for a hatchling, you will probably only find black and whites and maybe reds. More than likely there will be mostly imports as well.

 

[kellen.watkins]

I 2nd what james said. If I was in your shoes id wait until the next cbb breeding season in the northern hemisphere and get one from a reputible breeder.

 

[chelvis]

Color wise it really depends on what you like. A lot of people really like the while back ground, in that case extremes and blues are your best bet. I love my blue, his personality can not be beat he is like a giant puppy dog. Reds have their own appeal as well, they come in all colors ranging from peach to blood red. Not a big fan but there are some reds that will blow your mind. Hybrids are always fun as you never are 100% sure what they will look like as adults.

I would personally wait until the captive hatchling season hits, its not too far off. Right now the hatchlings that will be out are farmed animals or Columbia tegus. You can tell because its the same time as Caiman lizards being imported in from south america. Waiting might be your best chance for this year.

 

[dragonmetalhead]

Are you talking about the LA Supershow? I'll be there on Saturday with my friend Cambria; perhaps we can meet up. I'm always down to make new reptile friends (human and otherwise ).

 

[Compnerd7]

Are you talking about the LA Supershow? I'll be there on Saturday with my friend Cambria; perhaps we can meet up. I'm always down to make new reptile friends (human and otherwise ).

Yup that's the one. Ill be there with my friend jordan. You wont miss us, he's 5'8 blond hair blue eyes and a giant Cannon 5D markII draped around his neck. Im 6'3 with brown messed up hair haha we couldn't be more polar opposite. Well also have matching green shirts of dinosaur eating with a caption " Nom Nom Nom "

Well it sounds like my best bet is patience because I am all about CB Reptiles, sence I waited this long, I can wait a little longer. I still can't decied on a species, I may have to just just draw a name from a hat haha. Thank you all for your input it was very helpful!

 

[reptastic]

To be honest it really won't matter what your first species will be lol, cause eventually you'll end up with another anyways it happens to the best of us, their like chips you can't have just 1, but seriously I would go with a b/w they(imho and experience) tame down the fastest