FAQ: Housing Tegus

To keep your tegus in the best of health, it is important that they are housed correctly. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding housing your tegus.

Can I house more than one Tegu in a cage?
Never put 2 mature males together. Even mature females can fight. My experience is if you want to keep Tegus together they need to be put together at an early age before they get territorial. Always, always, always quarantine new animals for a minimum of 30 days. (I recommend 90 days)

How big a cage do I need?
Adult Red Tegus should have at least 24 sq. ft. of floor space. 6’ X 4’ is good; 8’ X 4’ is great.

Can I use a hot rock for heat?
NO! Do not ever use a hot rock. Tegus should get heat from above with a basking lamp. The hottest spot should be 105F-115F so they can properly digest their food.

Should I use a heat light at night?
NO! Tegus can see the light and black lights are bad for their eyes. The cage should be dark to allow them to rest and cycle properly. Night time heat is not needed unless temps drop below 65F inside the cage. If that is the case you can use a ceramic heater for heat from the top or a UTH (under tank heater) if it is feasible. Generally, if you have a sand bottom, the UTH will not penetrate because the sand will insulate it.

What should I use on the bottom of the cage?
I use cypress mulch or cypress blend. Tegus are smart enough that if they get a mouthful while eating they will spit out the mulch. It should be moist (cage humidity 50%). You can mist the cage lightly on a daily basis to keep the humidity up. Sphagnum moss can be used in the hide for even more humidity.

What about a hide?
Tegus love a tight fit, it helps them feel secure. You can provide a hide by simply placing a wooden board on the ground. They will dig a burrow under the wood and settle in. If you want something above ground, a small hide box that they can curl up in is fine.

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