Buyer question
Is a Red tegu good for beginners?
Usually not: our Animal Library rates the Red tegu 2 out of 5 for beginners (big, strong, long-lived).
Source: the Red tegu page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Red tegu in the Animal Library
The detail
The red tegu is a South American tegu species closely related to the Argentine black and white, with males turning deep red as they mature. It is kept much the same way, tends to eat more fruit, and grows into a large, strong adult.
- Best fit
- Experienced keepers with room and time
- Handling
- 4 out of 5 (Tames with daily work)
- Setup complexity
- 4 out of 5 (Big enclosure, brumation)
- Feeding ease
- 4 out of 5 (Eager omnivore)
What to weigh
A large, long-lived lizard with the same space needs as an Argentine. Colour varies by animal and takes time to develop.