Columbian Tegu Care Sheet
Lizard
3 - 3.5 feet long
15 - 20 years
Omnivore
Diet & Nutrition
Feeding Schedule
Feed babies and juveniles daily. Adults can eat leaner foods daily. Avoid feeding rodents daily as they are high in fat. Feed fattier foods 2-3 times a week. Dust food with calcium powder daily & a multivitamin once a week. Rodents don't require dusting.
Housing & Habitat
Columbian Tegus come from Columbia. They are primarily terrestrial but they do jump and climb for a portion of the day. Be sure to provide plenty of hiding spots on the ground along with some climbing areas. Grapevine and thick branches work good for climbing. Keep the environment warm and humid.
Columbian Tegus may be kept alone or in pairs. If housed together tegus should be of similar size to avoid injury. Never house two males together in the same tank. Two females generally get along well. A male and female will likely breed if housed together.
Enclosure Size
An adult must have a minimum cage size of 6 ft Long x 3 ft Deep x 3 ft High.
Babies can be started in a 40 Breeder.
Substrate
Due to humidity requirements an absorbent substrate is desired. Peat moss or coconut fiber are preferred. A thick substrate is preferred as Tegus love to dig and burrow. A baby should have 6 - 8 inches of substrate. An adult will require 1 - 2 feet.
Temperature & Lighting
Temperature
A Columbian Tegu's basking spot should be 100°- 110°F. The cool end of the tank can be as cool as 75°F.
Lighting
Since this is a diurnal species, it requires two light bulbs. One is the heat lamp which also emits UVA. The second is a UVB lamp. The UVB lamp will specifically say UVB on the box. If the box doesn't say UVB, it's not UVB.
Plant and Fish bulbs are not UVB bulbs.
Humidity & Watering
Humidity
The cage should be misted daily to ensure proper humidity levels.
Humidity levels should be between 60% - 80%.
Watering
Provide a bowl of fresh drinking water at all times. Columbian Tegus also like to swim. Provide a large enough water bowl so the lizard can soak and swim.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do Columbian Tegus eat?
Columbian Tegus are omnivores, although they are primarily carnivorous. They act as scavengers as well as predators. Offer a variety of live insects including crickets, mealworms, waxworms, superworms, and cockroaches. Juveniles and adults will also eat rodents such as mice and rats. Be cautious when feeding live prey to insure injuries do not occur. Cooked turkey, chicken, fish, and hard- boiled eggs can also be offered. Adult Tegus will eat fruits such as bananas, apples, and berries.
What size enclosure does a Columbian Tegu need?
Columbian Tegus come from Columbia. They are primarily terrestrial but they do jump and climb for a portion of the day. Be sure to provide plenty of hiding spots on the ground along with some climbing areas. Grapevine and thick branches work good for climbing. Keep the environment warm and humid. Columbian Tegus may be kept alone or in pairs. If housed together tegus should be of similar size to avoid injury. Never house two males together in the same tank. Two females generally get along we...
What temperature and lighting does a Columbian Tegu need?
A Columbian Tegu's basking spot should be 100°- 110°F. The cool end of the tank can be as cool as 75°F. Since this is a diurnal species, it requires two light bulbs. One is the heat lamp which also emits UVA. The second is a UVB lamp. The UVB lamp will specifically say UVB on the box. If the box doesn't say UVB, it's not UVB. Plant and Fish bulbs are not UVB bulbs. Humidity: The cage should be misted daily to ensure proper humidity levels. Humidity levels should be between 60% - 80%.