o Tank – size depends on age/ species
o Substrate
o Heating – Basking Bulb &
Fixture
o UVB 10.0 Linear
o Digital Thermometer
o Water Dish
o Food Dish
o Multiple Hiding Spots
o Calcium SupplementBaby/young lizards can be started in a 40-75 gallon terrarium. Custom enclosures are required for the subadult/adult size of the animal. Check the species list for individual requirements.
Species:
o Tegu: Adult Size: 4-5ft
Minimum Adult Enclosure: 8x3x3
o Ackie: Adult Size: 2ft
Minimum Adult Enclosure: 4x2x4
o Arboreal- Peach Throat, Mangrove, Quince, Roughneck: Adult Size: 3-4 feet
Minimum Adult Enclosure: 6x2x6
o Savannah: Adult Size: 3ft
Minimum Adult Enclosure: 8x2x2
o Argus: Adult Size: 4-5ft
Minimum Adult Enclosure:
Male: 8x3x3
Female: 6x3x3
Please note that if planning on ordering a custom cage from a manufacturer there is usually a wait time and we do not recommend waiting until your lizard needs a new home to order.A humidity holding substrate is needed to maintain the correct levels for your lizard. Forest Floor, Jungle Mix, Repti Chip, Terra Firma, Reptisoil are all options and can be mixed with each other or moss as needed.
Basking spot temperatures should be maintained at 115-125 degrees. UVB light is essential for diurnal lizards and a fluorescent tube UVB 10.0 bulb or a high output UVB/LED UVB should be used.
Tegus/Monitors should always have access to clean water. Humidity requirements vary by species and spraying of the enclosure will likely be needed either manually or through an automated misting system. Tegus: 70-90%. Ackies: 50-70%. Arboreal: 70-90%. 50-60%. Argus: 60-80%.
Monitors lizards’ diets are best when varied and lots of options are available depending on the size of the animal including: Repashy meat pie, Repashy chicken pot pie, Repashy Grub Pie, live insects, lean ground turkey, chicken hearts and gizzards, quail eggs, quail/chicken chicks, ground rabbit, and occasional rodents. Most of these items are available to be bought with us in store.
• Tegus are omnivores and benefit from varied veggies as well as dietary items mentioned above.
Calcium and Vitamin Supplements:
For an all in one supplement use Repashy Calcium Plus 3x per week
Or MinerAll / Arcadia Revitalize D3 5x per week.
If using a calcium without D3 (such as Zoo Med or Arcadia Calcium) 3x per week, then add Zoomed Reptivite D3 1x per week.
If using a plain calcium with D3 such as Zoomed Calcium with D3 3x per week, add a vitamin supplement like Arcadia Dietary Supplement 2x per weekTegus/monitors like lots of coverage and hiding spots as babies, stacks of cork bark work great to add hiding spots and build up a basking spot. Arboreal species will need branches and flat basking areas close to their basking spot. Lots of coverage, foliage, and hiding places are essential to the animal feeling safe.
• Feeding Baby lizards will need to be fed more often than adults. Every day to every other day for young animals with adults eating about 3 times per week.
Insects/organ meats will need to be dusted with a calcium/multivitamin supplement.
• Substrate Substrate should be regularly spot cleaned and fully changed out every 3-4 months
• Cleaning Spot clean your lizard’s habitat daily to remove any feces, urates, shed skin, or uneaten food.Handling
All monitors/tegu species will take work and time to tame and become used to regular handling. Starting handling as babies is key and being consistent in handling them even if they are flighty about it.
All monitors/tegu species are prone to biting as babies/juveniles and dealing with that is part of owning the animal especially since they have a very strong feeding response.
Health Concerns
One of the most common health issues in all reptiles is MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease.) This usually occurs when they are deprived of proper lighting and supplementation and fed a poor diet.
Tegus & Monitor Lizards
Size: Up to 5 feet
Lifespan: 15-25 years
Diet: Omnivore
Care Level: Advanced
Temperament: Shy/Defensive – Takes Work to Tame
Activity: Diurnal