FAQ: Housing Tegus

Can I use tree branches from my yard in the cage?
Use dried out wood. Soak in a 10% bleach solution for several hours then let dry until there is no smell. Fumes are toxic, be careful. You can also bake it for several hours at 200F

What is a UV light? Do I have to use one?
UV is ultraviolet light. The sun provides UVA and UVB that your Tegu uses to manufacture vitamin D3. This is needed to absorb and use the calcium ingested to stay healthy.This is a hotly debated topic. I believe it is better to err on the side of caution and use a good UV light. It is my experience that Proper UV lighting can help some Tegus maintain better color, have a better appetite, grow and thrive. This is not true in all cases and there are breeders who raise their Tegus with no UV light, just supplements and have no reported problems. There is a smaller margin for error however when you rely strictly on supplements.There are many UV lights to choose from. There are also many BAD UV lights that do little or nothing in the way of UV. For florescent UV lights I believe the standard is the Reptisun 5.0.

 More Lizard Care Articles
 Browse Lizard Care Questions & Answers