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Argentine Tegu

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== Difficulty ==
== Difficulty ==
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'''Advanced.'''  These are not beginner lizards.  In my opinion, there is much to be learned about these animals.  It is exceedingly diffiicult to find consistent information on their taxonomy and captive care anywhere.  I have consulted numerous books, websites of reputable hobbyists, and drawn conclusions based on my own experiences keeping them.  The many "gray areas" in tegu care make them difficult to read and interpret.  Keepers should be aware that they are dealing with a potentially dangerous lizard with sharp teeth, powerful jaws, and heavy duty claws.  They are also intelligent animals that have no problem biting the hand that feeds.  I have been bitten several times by my smaller tegu and have observed them shredding screen tops, letting themselves out of their enclosures that were locked with cage clips, and rearranging things inside and outside their cages.  I have observed them around cats and small dogs and they do not seem to show any indication of fear.
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'''Advanced.'''  These are not beginner lizards.  In my opinion, there is much to be learned about these animals.  It is exceedingly difficult to find consistent information on their taxonomy and captive care anywhere.  I have consulted numerous books, websites of reputable hobbyists, and drawn conclusions based on my own experiences keeping them.  The many "gray areas" in tegu care make them difficult to read and interpret.  Keepers should be aware that they are dealing with a potentially dangerous lizard with sharp teeth, powerful jaws, and heavy duty claws.  They are also intelligent animals that have no problem biting the hand that feeds.  I have been bitten several times by my smaller tegu and have observed them shredding screen tops, letting themselves out of their enclosures that were locked with cage clips, and rearranging things inside and outside their cages.  I have observed them around cats and small dogs and they do not seem to show any indication of fear.
This being said, there are also many positive aspects about their behavior.  If a tegu is aware of your presence (i.e., you did not wake him up or uncover his burrow) they are usually very good with human contact.  Again, this is animal-specific.  I have a tegu who is very social and will fall asleep in my lap or happily go for a car ride in the front seat, and one who is an absolute terror.
This being said, there are also many positive aspects about their behavior.  If a tegu is aware of your presence (i.e., you did not wake him up or uncover his burrow) they are usually very good with human contact.  Again, this is animal-specific.  I have a tegu who is very social and will fall asleep in my lap or happily go for a car ride in the front seat, and one who is an absolute terror.

Revision as of 11:59, 17 March 2008

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